Gemstone Detection via Red Light Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gem identification techniques using blue, ultraviolet, or white light make it difficult to distinguish gemstones from ore in mining environments, as they make the gems visible to the naked eye or require crude filters, which can lead to loss of valuable gemstones.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a red light source with wavelengths between 600 and 650 nanometers to excite materials, causing them to fluoresce in a longer wavelength band, which is masked by reflected light, allowing detection only through specific filters or detectors, enabling separation of gemstones from ore without making them visible to the naked eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If blue, ultraviolet, or white light is used to excite gemstones, then the gems become visible to the naked eye or can be detected with crude filters, but this makes it easy for miners to locate and potentially steal valuable gemstones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses red incident light to excite gemstones, causing them to fluoresce at longer wavelengths (orange-red). This color transformation makes the gems invisible to the naked eye under normal lighting while still allowing detection through the specific fluorescence response at different wavelengths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specific filter system as an intermediary between the incident red light and the detector. The filter transmits only the fluorescent wavelengths (orange-red) while blocking the incident red light, enabling detection without visual visibility of the gems
2Object-affected harmful factors
If red incident light is used to excite materials, then the fluorescence is masked by reflected light making it invisible to the naked eye, but separation from ore becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual detection with optical detection using a detector that measures light intensity at specific wavelengths. Instead of relying on human eyes or crude filters, the system uses a detector to measure the fluorescence signal at wavelengths distinct from the incident light, enabling automated separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the incident light to red (600-650nm), which causes gemstones to fluoresce at longer wavelengths. This parameter change creates a detectable signal difference between gemstones and ore while maintaining invisibility to the naked eye
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
Effectively characterizes gemstones based on red light fluorescence, allowing for precise identification and separation in mining environments without revealing gem locations to miners, using a narrow band red light source and appropriate filters or detectors.
Implementation Method 1
illuminating said object with an incident red light having wavelengths shorter than a maximum red light wavelength, said object being characterized as exhibiting red light fluorescence of a longer wavelength than the wavelength of the incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for characterizing objects. The method includes the steps of illuminating the object with incident red light having at least some wavelengths between 620 nms and 650 nms and detecting red light fluorescence from said object having a wavelength greater than visible wavelengths greater than that of the incident wavelengths, for example by using a filter. An apparatus including a source of red incident light, a detector for longer wavelength fluorescent light and a means for physically removing the detected objects from the rest is also provided. An embodiment of the present invention may be used in a mine, for example, to separate gem stones from less valuable ore rock or in prospecting to detect the presence of gems. In this embodiment the detection is not possible with the naked eye alone.