Optical Detection System Using Spatial Light Modulators for Microorganism Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting microorganisms in food production require culturing microorganisms to a visible colony state, which is time-consuming and cannot directly count microbial populations, necessitating at least a day for counting.
Innovation Solution
An optical detection system utilizing a sample portion, wave source, optical portion with spatial light modulators, and detection portion to generate and detect speckle patterns, enabling real-time detection of impurities by modulating waves to achieve destructive interference and amplify multiple scattering, allowing for the identification of microorganisms without the need for visible colonies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional colony counting methods are used, then microorganism population can be counted, but at least one day is required for culturing to visible colonies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the biological culturing process with an optical detection system that uses wave interference and multiple scattering to directly detect microorganisms. The system uses a wave source to generate waves that interact with microorganisms in the sample, and spatial light modulators to create interference patterns that reveal the presence and concentration of microorganisms without requiring them to grow into visible colonies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of waves, spatial light modulators, and detection components. This intermediary translates the presence of microorganisms into detectable optical signals through multiple scattering and interference effects, allowing direct detection without waiting for biological growth.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If colony culturing is used to make microorganisms visible, then detection is simplified, but the process cannot detect microorganisms until they reach visible colony state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visual colony size to optical interference patterns. By using spatial light modulators to create specific wavefronts that interfere with light scattered by microorganisms, the system can detect individual cells or small groups of cells based on their optical scattering properties rather than requiring them to grow into visible colonies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional colony visualization on agar plates to three-dimensional optical field manipulation using spatial light modulators. The system creates and analyzes wavefronts in the optical domain, adding temporal and spatial frequency dimensions to the detection process, enabling direct detection of microorganisms without the need for them to form visible two-dimensional colonies.
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
Enables real-time detection of microorganisms, providing sensitive and rapid identification of impurities, even at low concentrations, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional counting methods.
Implementation Method 1
the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator modulate the output wave such that the first wave and the second wave have destructive interference with respect to the sample under an already known condition
Implementation Method 2
a lens portion focusing the first wave and the second wave output from the optical portion
Implementation Method 3
The output wave may include a speckle pattern that is generated by being multiple-scattered from the sample
Implementation Method 4
The sample portion may further include a multiple scattering amplification portion that amplifies a number of multiple scattering of the waves emitted to the sample
Implementation Method 5
a detection portion detecting a focused wave that is focused by the lens portion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical detection system includes a sample portion accommodating a sample, a wave source emitting waves to the sample portion, an optical portion provided on a path of an output wave output from the sample portion, and comprising a first spatial light modulator that modulates part of the output wave to a first wave and a second spatial light modulator that modulates part of the output wave to a second wave, a lens portion focusing the first wave and the second wave output from the optical portion, and a detection portion detecting a focused wave that is focused by the lens portion, in which the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator modulate the output wave such that the first wave and the second wave have destructive interference with respect to the sample under an already known condition.