Light Irradiation Spot Scanning in Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In light irradiation methods for specimens in flow channels, the energy density of the irradiation spot is reduced due to specimen position changes, leading to a larger irradiation spot diameter than the flow channel width, necessitating increased output power of the light source.
Innovation Solution
A light irradiation method involving scanning of the irradiation spot in the widthwise direction of the flow channel, using a light source with an irradiation spot smaller than the channel width, and employing scanners like galvanometers, electro-optical elements, or MEMS, to maintain or reduce output power while increasing energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the diameter of the irradiation spot is made larger than the width of the flow channel to ensure sufficient irradiation coverage, then the irradiation coverage is improved, but the energy density of the irradiation spot is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic scanning of the irradiation spot across the flow channel width. Instead of using a static large-diameter spot, the system dynamically moves a smaller spot across the channel, maintaining high energy density while ensuring complete coverage through temporal-spatial scanning. The scanning speed and spot size are coordinated to guarantee that specimens are irradiated regardless of their position in the channel.
2Illumination intensity
If the output power of the light source is increased to compensate for reduced energy density, then the energy density can be maintained, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic scanning to concentrate the light source output into a small, high-density spot that moves across the flow channel. This temporal concentration allows the use of lower overall power while achieving the same effective energy delivery to specimens. The scanning mechanism ensures that even at lower power, the moving spot delivers sufficient energy density to any given location during its passage.
3Illumination intensity
If scanning is performed to increase energy density with a smaller irradiation spot, then the energy density is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional scanning components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with electro-optical elements or galvanometers that can rapidly deflect the light beam without moving the entire optical system. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the same scanning effect. The use of electronically controlled beam deflection eliminates the need for large, complex mechanical scanning stages.
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 allows for a relative increase in energy density of the irradiation spot without increasing the light source output power, enhancing light-converging efficiency and ensuring precise irradiation of specimens within the flow channel.
Implementation Method 1
the light irradiation may be performed while performing the scanning with at least any of a galvanometer, an electro-optical element, a polygon mirror, and an MEMS element
Data Source
AI summary
A light irradiation method of irradiating a specimen in a flow channel with directional light includes the step of irradiating the specimen with the directional light while performing scanning using the directional light in a widthwise direction of the flow channel. The directional light has an irradiation spot that is smaller than a width of the flow channel. Accordingly, energy density of the irradiation spot can be increased without increasing output power of a light source.