Optical Corrector for Wavelength Resolution in Spectrometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometers face challenges in achieving accurate wavelength measurement due to polarization-dependent diffraction angle variations, leading to misadjustment of split light beams and reduced wavelength resolution and accuracy, especially within a wide wavelength range.
Innovation Solution
An optical device comprising a diffraction grating, a depolarization plate made of birefringent material to eliminate polarization dependency, and an optical corrector that optically corrects diffraction angle deviations by bending back diffracted light to re-emit it to the diffraction grating, inverting the positional relationship of diffracted light in the diffusion direction without altering it in the non-diffusion direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a depolarization plate is provided to eliminate polarization dependency, then wavelength measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and corrects only the problematic diffraction angle deviation caused by polarization effects, rather than completely eliminating polarization dependency. The optical corrector selectively compensates for the deviation, removing the harmful aspect while maintaining the essential diffraction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of diffraction angle by introducing an optical corrector that compensates for polarization-induced deviations. By adjusting and correcting the diffraction angle parameter, the system achieves accurate wavelength measurement without requiring complete depolarization.
2Manufacturing precision
If diffraction angle deviation is not corrected, then device complexity is reduced, but wavelength resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical corrector functions as a feedback mechanism that compensates for diffraction angle deviations. It receives diffracted light and applies corrective optical paths to counteract the polarization-induced angle variations, ensuring accurate wavelength resolution through continuous correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical corrector acts as an intermediary component between the diffraction grating and the detection system. It mediates the diffraction process by correcting angle deviations without requiring complete depolarization, thus improving wavelength resolution while limiting complexity increase to a single corrective component.
3Measurement precision
If depolarization plate is used to eliminate polarization dependency, then wavelength measurement accuracy is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and corrects only the problematic diffraction angle deviation caused by polarization effects, rather than completely eliminating polarization dependency. The optical corrector selectively compensates for the deviation, removing the harmful aspect while maintaining the essential diffraction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of diffraction angle by introducing an optical corrector that compensates for polarization-induced deviations. By adjusting and correcting the diffraction angle parameter, the system achieves accurate wavelength measurement without requiring complete depolarization.
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 enhances wavelength resolution and accuracy across a wide wavelength range by correcting diffraction angle differences, allowing for improved performance and reduced component complexity, thereby enhancing the spectrometer's capability to select specific wavelength components effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a depolarization plate containing a birefringent material to eliminate polarization dependency of the diffraction grating
Implementation Method 2
due to the difference in refractive index of the material, refraction occurs at the depolarization plate
Implementation Method 3
a diffraction grating; Two light beams split by the depolarization plate are converted into parallel light beams by a first concave mirror 4. Then, such light beams enter a plane diffraction grating 5, and then, are diffracted
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes: a diffraction grating; a depolarization plate containing a birefringent material to eliminate polarization dependency of the diffraction grating; and an optical corrector configured to optically correct diffraction angle deviation of diffracted light due to diffraction at the diffraction grating. The optical corrector may be configured to bend back the diffracted light diffracted by the diffraction grating to re-emit the light to the diffraction grating.