Multi-Wavelength Lamp for Spectroscopy Signal Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art white light spectrometers suffer from weak signal-to-noise ratio, mechanical complexity, and inability to modulate at high frequencies, limiting their application in spectroscopy, especially in ultraviolet spectroscopy where tunable semiconductor lasers have limited tuning ranges.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable multi-wavelength lamp comprising ultraviolet, visible, and infrared emitters with a control system that selectively delivers power to generate light approximating a target spectral distribution, allowing for precise control of light emission to overcome the limitations of traditional white light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a white light source with a tunable monochromator is used, then spectral measurements over a wide wavelength range are enabled, but the system becomes bulky and complex with slow measurement times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the broadband light source into multiple discrete wavelength emitters (UV, visible, and infrared LEDs or lasers), each operating independently. This segmentation eliminates the need for a mechanical monochromator while maintaining wide spectral coverage, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement range and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical monochromator system with an electronically controlled array of discrete wavelength emitters. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical alignment requirements, reducing system complexity and measurement time while preserving broad spectral measurement capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a white light source with a tunable monochromator is used, then spectral measurements over a wide wavelength range are enabled, but the signal to noise ratio becomes weak
Solution Approach 1:
By using discrete wavelength emitters instead of filtered broadband light, each emitter concentrates its energy at specific wavelengths, producing stronger signals at those wavelengths. This segmentation approach maintains wide spectral coverage while improving signal-to-noise ratio at each measured wavelength.
3Device complexity
If a tunable semiconductor laser is used, then the rotating grating is eliminated and system complexity is reduced, but the tuning range is limited to less than 100 nanometers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple semiconductor lasers or LEDs with different wavelength ranges (UV, visible, and infrared) into a single integrated light source system. This merging approach maintains the simplicity of semiconductor-based sources while achieving a cumulative tuning range that far exceeds 100 nanometers, covering the entire spectrum from ultraviolet to infrared.
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 solution enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, simplifies the system, and enables frequency domain measurements, particularly in ultraviolet spectroscopy, by providing a flexible and efficient light source that can approximate various spectral distributions.
Implementation Method 1
The emitters can include at least one ultraviolet emitter, at least one visible light emitter, and at least one infrared emitter
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable multi-wavelength lamp is described. The lamp can include a plurality of emitters. The emitters can include at least one ultraviolet emitter, at least one visible light emitter, and at least one infrared emitter. The lamp can include a control system for controlling operation of the plurality of emitters. The control system can be configured to selectively deliver power to any combination of one or more of the plurality of emitters to generate light approximating a target spectral distribution of intensity.