Gemstone Fluorescence Imaging With Dichroic Beam Splitter Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gemstone analysis methods are cumbersome and difficult to reproduce due to the need for precise aiming and focusing of illumination sources, especially on polished gem facets lacking definable features, and require additional hardware and complex setups.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence imaging system utilizing a dichroic beam splitter and a flat stage to capture gemstone images, allowing for easy placement of gemstones table-side down, with a fixed focal point for repeatable analysis without adjustments, using a xenon flash lamp or similar light sources to excite fluorescence and a camera to digitize and analyze the images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fluorescence imaging setups are used, then fluorescence images can be captured, but the setup is complex and requires multiple components (fluorescence microscope, spectrometer, etc.) that are difficult to operate and adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging components (fluorescence microscope, spectrometer, camera system) into a single integrated fluorescence imaging system. The dichroic beam splitter merges excitation light paths with emission light paths, allowing one camera to capture both fluorescence and reflectance images without requiring separate imaging systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single setup: capturing fluorescence images, capturing reflectance images, and analyzing gemstone properties. The dichroic beam splitter enables the same optical path to serve both excitation and emission functions, making the system universally applicable to various gemstone analysis tasks without requiring separate specialized equipment for each measurement type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple equipment components are used for fluorescence imaging, then imaging capability is achieved, but the equipment requires frequent moving, changing, or adjusting for different samples
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-configured with a dichroic beam splitter and optical path designed to automatically route both excitation and emission light through the same imaging plane. This preliminary setup ensures that when different gemstone samples are analyzed, the equipment requires no moving, changing, or adjusting - the optical path is already optimized for the specific wavelength ranges of different gemstones.
Solution Approach 2:
The dichroic beam splitter dynamically separates excitation light from emission light based on their wavelength differences, allowing the system to adapt to different gemstone samples with different fluorescence characteristics. The optical system automatically adjusts which wavelengths are directed to the camera based on the sample being analyzed, eliminating manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If a single camera focuses on the same interface repeatedly, then ease of use is improved, but the optical path must be precisely controlled to maintain focus
Solution Approach 1:
The dichroic beam splitter acts as an intermediary optical element that precisely controls the separation and recombination of excitation and emission light paths. It mediates between the light source and the camera, ensuring that both wavelengths are directed to the correct focal plane without requiring complex manual alignment or adjustment mechanisms.
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 reproducible and efficient gemstone analysis with minimal adjustments, facilitating quick sample swapping and reducing the need for complex hardware setups, while allowing for accurate identification of natural vs. synthetic diamonds and detection of synthetic overgrowth.
Implementation Method 1
a setup that both sends light and captures the image from the table side of the gemstone by passing ultraviolet (UV) light between 10 nm and 400 nm to the gemstone and capturing the excited fluorescence image through a dichroic beam splitter
Implementation Method 2
passing ultraviolet (UV) light between 10 nm and 400 nm to the gemstone and capturing the excited fluorescence image
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods here may be used for a setup of fluorescence image capturing of a gemstone, such as a diamond placed on a flat stage. Some examples utilize a setup that both sends light and captures the image from the table side of the gemstone by passing ultraviolet (UV) light between 10 nm and 400 nm to the gemstone and capturing the excited fluorescence image for analysis through a dichroic beam splitter. In some examples, the cutoff is 300 nm. The dichroic beam splitter arrangement allows for the camera to focus on the same interface of the stage and gemstone over and over for ease of use and without moving, changing, or adjusting the equipment for different samples.