Optical Interferometer Temperature Measurement via Fixed-Wavelength Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical temperature measurement systems are expensive, large, and require a tunable laser with a wide wavelength range, making them impractical and costly for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A temperature measurement system using a Mach-Zehnder or Michelson interferometer that transmits an optical signal at a single wavelength, measuring temperature changes through intensity variations in the output signal, correlated with a characteristic curve to determine temperature, eliminating the need for wide tunability in the laser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wide-range tunable laser is used for temperature measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system cost and device size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from wavelength scanning to intensity detection at a fixed wavelength. Instead of tuning the laser across a wide wavelength range to find resonance peaks, the system uses a fixed-wavelength laser and measures intensity variations caused by temperature-dependent phase shifts in the interferometer, thereby avoiding complex tunable lasers while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical wavelength-tuning mechanism with an optical interference-based intensity modulation system. The temperature measurement is achieved through intensity variations of the interferometric signal rather than mechanical adjustment of laser wavelength, eliminating the need for complex tunable laser mechanisms
2Measurement precision
If a wide-range tunable laser is used for temperature measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, complex tunable lasers with inexpensive, fixed-wavelength laser diodes. The cost reduction is achieved by using simple, mass-producible laser components that do not require complex tuning mechanisms, making the system economically viable for widespread deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement approach is changed from wavelength-domain scanning to intensity-domain detection, allowing the use of low-cost fixed-wavelength lasers instead of expensive tunable lasers while still achieving accurate temperature measurements through interferometric intensity modulation
3Measurement precision
If a wide-range tunable laser is used for temperature measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but system compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from wavelength-tuning-based measurement to intensity-detection-based measurement at a fixed wavelength. This parameter change eliminates the need for large wavelength-tuning components and enables a compact system design suitable for integration into small-scale applications
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical wavelength-tuning subsystem is replaced with a static optical interferometer system that achieves temperature measurement through intensity modulation. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical tuning components and enables compact system integration
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 system is more compact, cost-effective, and robust, allowing for accurate temperature measurement using a narrowband laser, reducing costs and improving practicality.
Implementation Method 1
transmits an optical signal through an optical interferometer... As the temperature of the interferometer changes, a corresponding change occurs in the intensity of the optical signal that is transmitted through the interferometer
Implementation Method 2
causing a temperature-dependent phase shift in the second beam relative to the first beam to produce a phase-shifted second beam
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature measurement technology includes generating an input optical signal at a wavelength using an optical signal generator, splitting the input optical signal into a first beam and a second beam, optically transmitting the first beam through the first arm of an interferometer, transmitting the second beam through a second arm of the interferometer that introduces a phase shift in the second beam relative to the first beam, combining at least a portion of the transmitted first beam and the transmitted phase-shifted second beam to produce an output optical signal, measuring an optical signal intensity of the output optical signal, and correlating the measured optical signal intensity with a temperature to produce a measured temperature. Alternatively, the input optical signal may be transmitted through two or more interferometers.