Leaky Waveguide Spectroscope Using Defect Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectroscopes are limited in size due to the need for additional components, such as moving mirrors and light guiding equipment, which hinders their portability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscope utilizing a leaky waveguide with a defect structure that causes light to leak outside, allowing for the use of detectors at specific positions to detect and reconstruct the wavelength spectrum of light, enabling smaller and more portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectroscopes use additional components such as moving mirrors and light guiding equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and size is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of light guiding, wavelength separation, and detection into a single integrated waveguide structure. The waveguide simultaneously guides light and separates wavelengths through its defect structure, eliminating the need for separate gratings, mirrors, and light paths, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining spectral analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a light guide, a wavelength separator through its defect structure, and a platform for detector placement. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while preserving the spectroscopic measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If conventional spectroscopes use additional components such as moving mirrors and light guiding equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but device size is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of light guiding, wavelength separation, and detection into a single integrated waveguide structure. The waveguide simultaneously guides light and separates wavelengths through its defect structure, eliminating the need for separate gratings, mirrors, and light paths, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining spectral analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The detectors are positioned adjacent to the waveguide, nesting the detection function directly onto the light guiding structure. This eliminates the need for separate detection chambers and reduces overall device volume while maintaining measurement precision
3Volume of moving object
If the waveguide uses a defect structure to cause light leakage, then device size is reduced, but light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The defect structure is introduced only at specific locations along the waveguide where wavelength separation is needed, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized approach allows controlled light leakage for spectral separation while maintaining efficient light guidance in other sections, minimizing overall light loss
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 spectroscope effectively reduces size while maintaining functionality, improving portability and usability by leveraging the leaky waveguide's defect structure to split and analyze light, allowing for accurate wavelength spectrum reconstruction.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide configured to propagate light
Implementation Method 2
a defect structure provided on a portion of the waveguide and configured to cause the light propagating in the waveguide to leak outside of the waveguide
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of detectors provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the defect structure and configured to detect the light leaking from the defect structure
Implementation Method 4
The predetermined positions may be positions at which the light leaking from the defect structure are combined by interference
Data Source
AI summary
A leaky waveguide includes a waveguide configured to propagate light; a defect structure provided on a portion of the waveguide and configured to cause the light propagating in the waveguide to leak outside of the waveguide; and a plurality of detectors provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the defect structure and configured to detect the light leaking from the defect structure. Accordingly, a spectroscope including the leaky waveguide may have a reduced size.