Integrated Optical Resonator Arrays for Fluid Absorption Spectra
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for measuring optical absorption properties of fluids, such as gases or biological fluids, as a function of wavelength often require high spectral resolution to accurately characterize the fluid, particularly for detecting biological and/or chemical agents, but they are limited by the need for expensive and complex equipment.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a broadband light source, integrated optical waveguides with optical resonators, and a microfluidic channel is used to measure optical absorption properties of fluids. The device filters light using optical resonators to achieve different spectral components, allowing for high spectral resolution without the need for expensive equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high spectral resolution is used to accurately characterize fluid and detect analytes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the broadband light source into multiple spectral components using a array of optical resonators, each resonator being tuned to a specific wavelength. This segmentation allows high spectral resolution to be achieved through parallel measurement of multiple wavelengths simultaneously, avoiding the need for complex scanning mechanisms while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an array of identical optical resonator structures that can be fabricated using standard photonic circuit manufacturing processes. Each resonator is a copy of the basic design but tuned to different wavelengths, allowing high spectral resolution to be achieved through parallel replication rather than through complex individual components.
2Measurement precision
If high spectral resolution is used to accurately determine analyte concentration, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the spectral analysis function across multiple simple, identical resonator units that can be manufactured in parallel using standard photonic circuit fabrication processes. This segmentation enables high spectral resolution through parallel wavelength measurement while keeping individual component complexity and manufacturing cost low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves high spectral resolution by changing the parameter of having multiple resonators tuned to different wavelengths rather than using a single complex resonator system. This parameter change from single-unit to multi-unit configuration allows cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining high measurement precision for concentration determination.
3Device complexity
If a single wavelength is used for absorption measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but spectral resolution and analyte detection accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple wavelength measurement capabilities into a single integrated device by combining an array of optical resonators that operate simultaneously at different wavelengths. This merging allows the device to perform high-resolution spectral measurement without requiring multiple separate instruments or complex scanning mechanisms, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving high spectral resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves multi-functionality by using a single integrated photonic circuit that simultaneously performs absorption measurements at multiple wavelengths. The array of resonators enables the system to characterize fluids and detect analytes across a broad spectral range, making the device universally applicable to various analytical tasks without requiring complex specialized equipment for each wavelength.
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
The device achieves efficient and accurate multi-spectral measurements of fluid absorption properties, enabling high spectral resolution and cost-effective detection of biological and chemical agents, suitable for applications in environmental monitoring, toxicology, medical diagnostics, and gas sampling.
Implementation Method 1
Each integrated optical waveguide comprises an optical resonator for filtering the light guided by the integrated optical waveguide according to a predetermined spectral component. Each optical resonator comprises an optical cavity with an optical length, and the respective optical resonator is configured to filter different spectral components by varying the optical length of the respective optical cavities
Implementation Method 2
The device is adapted for measuring an optical absorption property of a fluid as function of wavelength. The fluid being analyzed may for example be introduced in an integrated microfluidic channel that is arranged such as to allow an interaction with electromagnetic radiation propagating through an integrated waveguide structure
Implementation Method 3
The device further comprises a light coupler for coupling the light emitted by the broadband light source into the plurality of integrated optical waveguides such that the light coupled into each of the integrated optical waveguides has the same spectral distribution
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for measuring an optical absorption property of a fluid as function of wavelength. The device comprises a broadband light source (2) for emitting light, a plurality of integrated optical waveguides (3) for guiding this light, and a light coupler (10) for coupling the emitted light into the integrated optical waveguides (3) such that the light coupled into each integrated optical waveguide (3) has substantially the same spectral distribution. The device also comprises a microfluidic channel (5) for containing the fluid, arranged such as to allow an interaction of the light propagating through each waveguide (3) with the fluid in the microfluidic channel (5). Each integrated optical waveguide (3) comprises an optical resonator (15) for filtering the light guided by the waveguide (3) according to a predetermined spectral component. The spectral component corresponding to each waveguide (3) is substantially different from the spectral component corresponding to another of the waveguides (3).