Optical Measurement Cell Window Bonding via Thermal Expansion Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical measurement cells face challenges in achieving airtightness and heat resistance due to gas leakage through O-rings and thermal expansion coefficient mismatches between window materials and flange members, leading to cracking issues.

Innovation Solution

The optical measurement cell employs atomic diffusion bonding between the window material and the flange member, using a metal thin film to ensure airtightness and heat resistance, while maintaining a thermal expansion coefficient ratio between the flange member and the window material within 0.5 to 1.5 times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If O-ring is used for sealing the window material, then ease of assembly is improved, but airtightness deteriorates due to gas leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidairtightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the O-ring sealing component from the system and replaces it with a direct bonding structure between the window material and flange member, eliminating the gas leakage issue inherent in O-ring sealing while maintaining assembly simplicity through integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If metal O-ring is used instead of rubber O-ring, then airtightness is temporarily improved, but reliability deteriorates due to leakage after thermal cycling

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveairtightnessVSAvoidservice life under thermal cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the window material and flange member into a single integrated structure through direct bonding, eliminating the separate sealing component that fails under thermal cycling, and creates a permanent seal that maintains airtightness throughout the service life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If linear load is increased to maintain sealing with metal O-ring, then airtightness is improved, but the window material is broken

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveairtightnessVSAvoidwindow material integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the metal O-ring sealing mechanism that requires high linear load, and replaces it with a direct bonding structure that achieves airtightness without applying excessive force to the window material, thereby preventing breakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If atomic diffusion bonding is used to bond window material to flange member, then airtightness and heat resistance are improved, but cracking occurs when thermal expansion coefficient difference is large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairtightness and heat resistanceVSAvoidwindow material cracking resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material selection parameters by choosing a flange member material (Invar) with thermal expansion coefficient matched to the window material (ZnSe), specifically controlling the ratio to be 0.5-1.5 times, thereby preventing thermal stress-induced cracking while maintaining the benefits of atomic diffusion bonding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents cracking of the window material, ensures airtightness, and maintains heat resistance, thereby satisfying the required performances for the optical measurement cell.

Implementation Method 1

a structure in which a joint part formed on a flange member is bonded to a flat part (principal surface) of a window material... bonding the window material and the joint part by atomic diffusion bonding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomic diffusion bonding: Diffusion Welding

Implementation Method 2

when a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the flange member and the window material is large... the window material is broken due to, for example, bending of the window material or thermal deformation of the flange member... a ratio of a thermal expansion coefficient of the flange member to a thermal expansion coefficient of the window material is 0.5 times or more and 1.5 times or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12332175B2Optical measurement cell, optical analyzer, window forming member, and method of manufacturing optical measurement cell

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 HORIBA STEC CO LTD

AI summary

In order to prevent cracking of a window material in manufacturing an optical measurement cell that satisfies various performances required for airtightness, heat resistance, and the like by atomic diffusion bonding, an optical measurement cell into which a sample is introduced includes a light transmission window through which light is transmitted, and includes a window material forming the light transmission window, and a flange member to which the window material is bonded via a metal thin film, and a ratio of a thermal expansion coefficient of the flange member to a thermal expansion coefficient of the window material is 0.5 times or more and 1.5 times or less.