Fluorescent Particle Detection Using Blue Light Excitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting organic epoxy and phenolic ester resins on microelectronic circuits using white light microscopy are ineffective, as these contaminants are difficult to detect and can hinder signal transmission, leading to reduced circuit reliability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing blue light to excite particles on the circuit, generating a fluorescent feedback wavelength greater than the excitation wavelength, which is then filtered to reveal the presence of contaminants without hazardous wavelengths or additional fluorescing agents, integrated into a benchtop stereoscope for cost-effective and non-destructive detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If white light microscopy is used to detect organic epoxy and phenolic ester resins on microelectronic circuits, then the inspection can be performed with simple equipment, but the contaminants are difficult to detect and remain invisible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of inspection equipmentVSAvoiddetectability of contaminants

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source from white light to blue light (specific wavelength range), which enables the organic resins to exhibit fluorescent properties that make them visible for detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the fluorescent color change that occurs when organic resins are excited by blue light, transforming them from invisible under white light to visible through their fluorescent emission, thereby enabling detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If UV light is used to excite fluorescent response from particles, then high fluorescent efficiency can be achieved, but hazardous wavelengths are introduced that pose safety risks to operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluorescent efficiencyVSAvoidhazardous light exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful UV excitation into beneficial blue light excitation, which still produces fluorescent response from the contaminants but eliminates the hazardous short-wavelength radiation, making the inspection process safe for operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If additional fluorescing agents or additives are added to enhance detection, then detection sensitivity can be improved, but the process becomes more complex and potentially destructive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidcomplexity of detection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits the inherent fluorescent properties of the organic resin contaminants themselves, which naturally fluoresce when exposed to blue light, eliminating the need for adding external fluorescing agents or additives to the inspection process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If expensive analytical techniques such as IR spectroscopy or XPS are used, then accurate detection can be achieved, but the system becomes costly and potentially destructive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidcost-effectiveness of inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive blue light sources and simple optical filters instead of expensive analytical instruments like IR spectroscopy or XPS, providing a cost-effective, non-destructive inspection method that maintains adequate detection accuracy for quality control purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enables efficient detection of contaminants on microelectronic circuits, improving reliability and efficiency by using blue light to excite fluorescent feedback, allowing for effective visualization of contaminants without hazardous light exposure or additional agents, thus enhancing quality control and fault diagnosis.

Implementation Method 1

A system utilizing blue light to excite particles on the circuit, generating a fluorescent feedback wavelength greater than the excitation wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11067784B2System and techniques for detecting fluorescing particles on a target

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION ANDELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a system and technique for a system for detecting fluorescing particles on a target comprising a viewing device configured to view the target and a light subsystem configured to illuminate the target, wherein the target includes a fluorescing particle that effectuates the fluorescent feedback second wavelength. In one example, no additional fluorescing agent or additive, other than the fluorescing particle, is added to the target. A passive cooling subsystem is configured to prevent overheating of the system without expending additional energy resources. The system includes a filter in operative communication with the viewing device having a selected filter wavelength configured to allow light to pass that is greater than the first wavelength and at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon.