Laser Array Spectrometer for Discrete Surface Spectra Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional raster systems in spectrometers move an excitation beam over a sample surface using a moving part, averaging over the surface rather than producing discrete spectra, which limits the ability to distinguish between surface and target spectra.
Innovation Solution
The use of a spectrometer with a plurality of excitation light sources, such as a laser array, and a plurality of detector elements, including a two-dimensional detector array, allows for simultaneous excitation and detection across a sample surface without moving parts, enabling discrete spectra collection and separation of surface and target signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a moving part is used to raster the excitation beam over the sample surface, then the excitation beam can cover the entire sample area, but the system produces averaged spectra rather than discrete spectra and requires mechanical movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single excitation beam into multiple parallel beams using a beam splitter and relay optics. Each beam in the array excites a different spatial location on the sample simultaneously, creating discrete spectral information from each location without mechanical movement. This segmentation of the beam path enables both full surface coverage and discrete spectral measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical raster scanning system with a static optical array. Instead of moving a single beam across the sample using motors and scanners, the system uses a fixed array of multiple beams created through optical splitting and relay. This eliminates mechanical components while achieving the same spatial coverage with superior spectral resolution.
2Area of stationary object
If a moving part is used to raster the excitation beam, then the system can scan across the sample, but the system complexity increases and acquisition speed is limited by mechanical movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical raster scanning system with a static optical array. Instead of moving a single beam across the sample using motors and scanners, the system uses a fixed array of multiple beams created through optical splitting and relay. This eliminates mechanical components while achieving the same spatial coverage with superior spectral resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables simultaneous excitation of multiple sample locations with parallel beams, allowing continuous data acquisition without the start-stop motion inherent in raster scanning. All spatial positions are excited and measured at the same time, eliminating mechanical movement requirements and enabling faster acquisition.
3Quantity of substance
If averaging over the sample surface is performed, then the entire surface is analyzed, but the ability to distinguish between surface and target spectra is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single excitation beam into multiple parallel beams using a beam splitter and relay optics. Each beam in the array excites a different spatial location on the sample simultaneously, creating discrete spectral information from each location without mechanical movement. This segmentation of the beam path enables both full surface coverage and discrete spectral measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a two-dimensional detector array to capture spectral information from multiple spatial locations simultaneously. By mapping the spatial dimension of the sample surface to the detector array, the system preserves spatial information that would otherwise be averaged out, enabling distinction between surface and target spectra while maintaining full sample coverage.
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
This approach enhances the ability to distinguish between surface and target spectra, improves signal detection, and reduces the need for moving parts, providing faster and more accurate spectroscopic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The light source includes a plurality of laser sources adapted to provide a plurality of excitation incident beams through the optical system
Implementation Method 2
An optical system is adapted to direct the excitation incident beam toward a sample, receive a spectroscopy signal from the sample and provide the spectroscopy signal to the detector. The optical system comprises a beam expander adapted to expand the excitation incident beam
Implementation Method 3
a detector adapted to detect a spectroscopy signal
Data Source
AI summary
Spectrometers are provided comprising a plurality of excitation light sources (e.g., a plurality of laser light sources), a plurality of detector elements, and/or a plurality of excitation light sources and a plurality of detector elements. In one embodiment, for example, a spectrometer includes a light source adapted to provide an excitation incident beam, a detector adapted to detect a spectroscopy signal; and an optical system adapted to direct the excitation incident beam toward a sample, receive a spectroscopy signal from the sample and provide the spectroscopy signal to the detector. The light source includes a plurality of laser sources adapted to provide a plurality of excitation incident beams through the optical system and/or the detector comprises a plurality of detector elements.