Flow Cell Assembly Liquid Core Waveguide Stray Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid sample analyzers face challenges in efficiently guiding and detecting radiation through flow cells due to issues with light transmission and fluidic connections, leading to potential stray light interference and reduced optical signal quality.
Innovation Solution
A flow cell assembly featuring a liquid core waveguide with a cladding layer of lower refractive index, combined with input and output optical fibers and nonresilient mask members, ensures efficient radiation transmission through total internal reflection and minimizes stray light, using a unitary entrance and exit joint member design for secure fluid connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional flow cell design is used, then fluidic connections are established, but stray light interference occurs and optical signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A mask member is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical fiber and the flow cell window. This mask member defines an aperture that precisely controls the light path, blocking stray light while allowing the desired optical signal to pass through. The mask acts as a mediator that separates the useful light from harmful stray light, thereby improving optical signal quality without compromising fluidic connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask member creates a localized aperture with specific geometric properties that optimize light transmission. By controlling the size, shape, and position of the aperture, the design ensures that only light from the intended source reaches the detector, while stray light from other directions is blocked. This local control of light quality enhances measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If light transmission is enhanced through the flow cell, then optical signal quality improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The mask member is integrated into the flow cell assembly in such a way that it becomes an inherent part of the optical path structure. Rather than being a separate, standalone component, the mask is positioned and secured within the existing flow cell architecture, merging its light-blocking function with the overall device structure. This reduces the perceived complexity while maintaining the optical signal quality improvements.
3Ease of operation
If a unitary joint member design is used, then ease of assembly improves, but adaptability to different configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary joint member is designed with universal features that allow it to serve multiple functions and accommodate different configurations. The joint member includes standardized interfaces and mounting features that can adapt to various optical fiber types, flow cell configurations, and detector arrangements. This universality enables easy assembly while maintaining adaptability to different experimental requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances optical signal quality by reducing stray light interference and maintaining high photon flux with low light dispersion, enabling compact, flexible, and high-resolution liquid sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid core waveguide with a cladding layer of lower refractive index, combined with input and output optical fibers... ensures efficient radiation transmission through total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
an input optical fiber mounted in the entrance joint member to transmit radiation from the radiation source to the waveguide bore
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow cell assembly for use in a liquid sample analyzer including a radiation source, a sensing device and a liquid sample source to supply a liquid sample includes an entrance joint member, a liquid core waveguide, a liquid sample feed tube, and an input optical fiber. The entrance joint member includes a waveguide receiving bore and a feed tube receiving bore. The liquid core waveguide is mounted in the waveguide receiving bore and defines a waveguide bore. The liquid sample feed tube is mounted in the feed tube receiving bore such that the liquid sample feed tube is in fluid communication with the waveguide bore to fluidly connect the liquid sample source to the waveguide bore. The input optical fiber is mounted in the entrance joint member to transmit radiation from the radiation source to the waveguide bore, which radiation is transmitted through the waveguide bore and the liquid sample therein to the sensing device.