Multi-Slit Raman Microscope Layout for Full CCD Spectrum Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Raman microscopes are limited by the number of pixels in the CCD camera, leading to inefficient spectrum measurement, with half of the pixels unused and unnecessary wavelengths detected, necessitating more efficient spectrum measurement techniques.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscopic microscope with a multi-slit part and a spectrometer that disperses signal light using a two-dimensional array photodetector, allowing simultaneous measurement of Raman spectra from multiple points on a sample, and a wavelength selection part to select and vary the measured wavelength range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a fiber bundle converts Raman scattering light from multiple points into one line for detection, then spatial information can be captured, but the region that can acquire two-dimensional spatial information is limited to the number of pixels of the line, and half of the CCD camera pixels remain unused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the detection architecture from a one-dimensional line array to a two-dimensional area array by removing the fiber bundle constraint. The CCD camera directly detects light from multiple spatial points across a two-dimensional region, utilizing both horizontal and vertical pixel dimensions to capture spatial information simultaneously, thereby eliminating the 50% pixel waste inherent in line-array configurations.
2Measurement precision
If the Raman scattering light from a point is dispersed to the entire CCD camera, then spectrum information can be obtained, but unnecessary wavelengths are detected and half of the pixels are only used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection field into multiple independent spatial regions corresponding to different illumination points. Each region's light is directed to a specific pixel or pixel group on the CCD camera, creating a segmented detection scheme where spatial position and wavelength information are simultaneously encoded in the two-dimensional pixel array, avoiding the need to disperse light from a single point across the entire camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the two-dimensional pixel array of the CCD camera to simultaneously encode spatial information (which illumination point) and spectral information (wavelength) in different dimensions. This allows the entire pixel array to be productively used for both spatial mapping and spectrum measurement, eliminating the time-wasting dispersion to unnecessary wavelengths while maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If a beam array illuminates multiple points on the sample simultaneously, then measurement speed can be improved, but the number of simultaneously measurable spectrum points is limited by the number of pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a two-dimensional area array photodetector to receive light from multiple illumination points simultaneously. By arranging detection elements in both horizontal and vertical dimensions, the system can measure spectra from numerous spatial points in parallel without being constrained by a one-dimensional pixel limit, thereby maintaining high measurement speed while increasing the number of simultaneously measurable spectrum points.
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 configuration enables efficient spectrum measurement by effectively utilizing all photodetector pixels and reducing unnecessary wavelength detection, thereby increasing the number of simultaneously measured spectrum points and shortening measurement time.
Implementation Method 1
a spectrometer that disperses the signal light having passed through the slits in a dispersion direction intersecting a slit length direction
Implementation Method 2
a two-dimensional array photodetector that detects the signal light
Data Source
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AI summary
A spectroscopic microscope (100) according to the present embodiment incudes a light source (11) that generates laser light (L1) that enters a sample (37), in order to illuminate a plurality of linear illumination regions (39) on the sample, an edge filter (31) that branches signal light (L3) generated at the illumination regions (39) illuminated with laser light (L2) from light having the same wavelength as that of the laser light (L1) from the light source, a multi-slit part (51) having a plurality of slits through which signal light (L4) branched by the edge filter passes, the slits being arranged in the slit width direction, and a spectrometer (60) that disperses the signal light (L4) having passed through the slits (53) in the dispersion direction intersecting the slit length direction and detects the signal light (L4) with a two-dimensional array photodetector (62).