Modular Raman Accessory for Versatile Light Path Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld Raman spectrometers have limitations in analyzing small-volume samples and require visible magnification and manipulation to focus the excitation light and collect emission light, making it difficult to target specific areas or layers of samples.
Innovation Solution
A modular accessory for a Raman spectrometer that includes an attachment module, a base module with a visible light imager and beam splitter, and an objective module, allowing for orientation of the light path at different angles to the optical axis, enabling versatile targeting of specific areas or layers of samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the excitation laser beam is emitted straight out of a forward-facing aperture in a fixed direction, then the Raman spectrometer maintains a simple and compact structure, but it cannot easily analyze small-volume samples or target specific areas of samples
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory is divided into separate functional modules: an attachment module for coupling to the spectrometer, a base module containing optical components, and an objective module for focusing light. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system versatility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory incorporates adjustable components including a tiltable objective module and rotatable attachment module that can be positioned at different angles. This dynamic adjustability enables the system to adapt to various sample configurations and targeting requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Measurement precision
If visible magnification and manipulation methods are used to focus the Raman excitation light on a small sample, then the ability to target specific areas improves, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory replaces manual mechanical magnification and manipulation with an optical solution using an objective lens and beam splitter system. This substitution achieves precise targeting of specific sample areas through optical focusing rather than mechanical manipulation, maintaining operational simplicity while improving measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light path is oriented at fixed angles only, then the device structure remains simple, but the versatility in analyzing samples at different orientations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment module is designed with rotational capability, allowing the objective module to be tilted and rotated to different angular positions. This dynamic reconfigurability enables the system to accommodate samples at various orientations without requiring multiple fixed optical paths, achieving versatility through a single adjustable mechanism.
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 modular accessory allows for versatile direction of laser excitation and collection of emission light, facilitating analysis of small-volume samples and improving the ability to target specific areas or layers without the need for visible magnification and manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
a first beam splitter providing bifurcation of the sample light beam. The bifurcation provides a visible light beam directed to the visible light imager and a Raman light beam directed along the optical axis of the Raman spectrometer
Implementation Method 2
The objective module includes an objective and is configured to provide an optical path for the sample light beam travelling from a sample along a light path to an objective lens of objective
Implementation Method 3
a Raman light beam directed along the optical axis of the Raman spectrometer. The Raman light beam includes a Raman excitation beam from the Raman spectrometer and a Raman emission beam to the Raman spectrometer
Data Source
AI summary
A modular accessory for orienting a light path at different angles to an optical axis of a spectrometer is described. The modular accessory includes an attachment module configured to couple to a Raman spectrometer. The attachment module attaches to a base module which includes a visible light imager. An objective module couples to the base module and includes an objective configured to provide an optical path for the sample light beam travelling from a sample along a light path to an objective lens of the objective, through the objective, and to the input for the sample light beam of the base module. The modules can provide tilt and swivel angles to orient the light path at different angles. Portable Raman systems including the modular accessory and a Raman spectrometer are also described as well as methods for using the systems.