Integrated Optical Delivery Device for Free-Space Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems for nanoscale sample analysis are complex, costly, and require significant space, with integrated optical components in telecommunications applications not suited for removable sample holders and insufficient for delivering optical energy to highly-multiplexed analytical systems.
Innovation Solution
An optical delivery device with an optical input, output, and waveguide on a substrate, configured for optical coupling through free space, featuring modulated numerical aperture, power modulation, and inclusion of splitting, phase, amplitude, or frequency modulators, designed for use with multiplexed DNA sequencing devices and other analytical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional optical trains with mirrors and prisms are used to direct and manipulate light, then light can be directed to desired destinations, but the systems become complex, costly, and require significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (direction, filtering, splitting, detection) into a single integrated optical device with multiple ports. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate mirrors, prisms, and optical elements, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining full light manipulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical device performs multiple functions simultaneously - it can direct light to different destinations, filter wavelengths, split beams, and detect signals all within one device. This multi-functionality replaces the conventional optical train's multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If telecommunications PLCs are used for optical coupling, then integration and compactness are achieved, but they are not suited for removable sample holders and cannot deliver sufficient optical energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic alignment capabilities that allow the integrated optical device to adapt to removable sample holders. The system can adjust and maintain proper optical coupling despite the removability and potential positional variations of the sample holder, combining integration with adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical device can modulate parameters such as numerical aperture and optical power to optimize coupling with removable sample holders. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains effective optical energy delivery while accommodating the versatility requirements of removable samples.
3Volume of moving object
If telecommunications PLCs are used, then device compactness is achieved, but they cannot carry the intensity of optical energy necessary for analyzing large numbers of nanoscale samples
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated optical device includes power modulation capabilities that prepare and optimize optical energy delivery before coupling to the sample. This preliminary power adjustment ensures sufficient optical intensity is available for analyzing large numbers of nanoscale samples while maintaining compact device dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts optical power and numerical aperture to deliver sufficient energy intensity for nanoscale sample analysis. This dynamic control allows the compact device to overcome the power limitations of conventional telecommunications PLCs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If free-space optical coupling is implemented for removable sample holders, then alignment flexibility is improved, but alignment must be monitored and maintained during analysis due to mechanical and thermal factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor alignment between the integrated optical device and removable sample holders. This feedback allows the system to detect and correct alignment drift caused by mechanical and thermal factors, maintaining reliable optical coupling throughout the analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic alignment adjustment capabilities that respond to mechanical and thermal variations in real-time. This dynamic adaptation maintains stable alignment despite the flexibility requirements of removable sample holders, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
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 and flexible optical energy delivery to target waveguide devices over longer distances, improving alignment and optical coupling while accommodating removable sample holders and higher optical energy requirements.
Implementation Method 1
configured for optical coupling to a target waveguide device through free space
Implementation Method 2
an optical output waveguide disposed on a substrate and optically connected to the optical input and the optical output
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
Optical delivery devices and integrated analytical systems comprising the optical delivery devices are provided. The optical delivery devices include optical inputs, optical outputs, and integrated optical waveguides that are configured for coupling of optical energy to a target waveguide device through free space. The integrated analytical systems include the optical delivery devices in combination with the target waveguide device. The devices and systems are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The devices provide for the efficient coupling of optical excitation energy from an optical source to the optical reactions. Optical signals emitted from the reactions can thus be measured with high sensitivity and discrimination. The devices and systems are well suited for miniaturization and high throughput.