Folded Optical Path Spectrometer Substrate Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers require large physical dimensions and complex alignments due to the need for high spectral resolution, which increases cost and complexity, and often necessitate edge injection of electromagnetic energy into substrates, complicating the optical path management.
Innovation Solution
The use of input and output optics, including nanostructures and reflective elements on major faces of substrates, allows for electromagnetic energy to enter and exit through smoother major faces, reducing the need for edge polishing and enabling compact, economical designs with folded optical paths and precise nanofabrication of optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectrometers use large physical dimensions and multiple components to achieve high spectral resolution, then spectral resolution is improved, but device complexity and alignment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical components (diffraction grating, mirrors, beam splitters, detectors) into a single integrated optical module where all components are positioned within a compact substrate. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment of multiple discrete components, resolving the contradiction between achieving high spectral resolution and reducing alignment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where optical components are positioned in a folded optical path within a compact substrate. The optical path is folded back on itself multiple times within the substrate, allowing long optical paths to be contained in small physical dimensions. This nesting enables high spectral resolution through extended path length while maintaining compact device dimensions and simplified alignment.
2Device complexity
If conventional spectrometers minimize components and use oversized components to reduce alignment complexity, then alignment complexity is reduced, but spectral resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical components into a single monolithic substrate, eliminating alignment issues between separate components. The diffraction grating, mirrors, and detectors are all positioned precisely within the same substrate, ensuring stable optical paths without requiring complex alignment procedures, while still achieving high spectral resolution through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded optical path is nested within the substrate, allowing the optical path length to be extended without increasing the physical footprint. This nested arrangement enables precise positioning of optical elements to achieve high spectral resolution while maintaining a compact, alignment-friendly configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional spectrometers require edge injection of electromagnetic energy into substrates, then electromagnetic energy can enter the substrate, but optical path management becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of injecting electromagnetic energy through the edge of the substrate as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by providing electromagnetic energy through the major face of the substrate. The diffraction grating and optical components are arranged to receive light from the major face, eliminating the need for edge polishing and simplifying optical path management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from edge injection (one-dimensional approach) to face injection (two-dimensional approach). By providing electromagnetic energy through the major face of the substrate rather than the edge, the design simplifies manufacturing (no edge polishing required) and enables more straightforward optical path management within the substrate plane.
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
This approach enables compact, cost-effective spectrometers with improved spectral resolution and reduced alignment complexity by facilitating electromagnetic energy structuring within a transmissive substrate, allowing for precise positioning of optical elements and efficient energy management.
Implementation Method 1
a number of first reflective portions that extend at least partially along the first major face of the substrate, the number of first reflective portions oriented and positioned to control a propagation direction of electromagnetic energy along a folded optical path
Implementation Method 2
U.S. Patent 8,854,624 generally describes a photonic crystal based spectrometer... The photonic crystal comprises a first surface including a first array of periodic features on or with a dielectric material... The periodic features of the photonic crystal are characterized by a specified lattice constant, which at least in part determines the portion of propagating optical energy that will be extracted.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a substrate transmissive of electromagnetic energy of at least a plurality of wavelengths, having a first end, a second end, a first major face, a second major face, at least one edge, a length, a width, and a thickness, at least a first output optic that outputs electromagnetic energy the substrate; and a first input optic oriented and positioned to provide electromagnetic energy into the substrate via at least one of the first or the second major face of the substrate. The first output optic is laterally spaced from the first input optic. A number of reflectors and optional absorbers may be positioned proximate the first major face and/or the second major face to structure electromagnetic energy and/or to translate such from the first input optic to the first output optic. The apparatus may be part of a spectrometer or other optical system.