Optical Fiber Plasma Spectroscopy for Bubble-Free Liquid Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aqueous solution plasma techniques face challenges in effectively collecting light signals from plasma due to interference from bubbles, which affect signal intensity and accuracy, and are susceptible to interference from other substances, making them bulky, expensive, and unsuitable for portable, quick, and multi-metal testing.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using an optical fiber as a light detection element without any light-focusing components, positioned to detect plasma optical emission spectrum directly from within the liquid, minimizing interference from bubbles and other substances by optimizing the distance and angle relative to the electrode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional aqueous solution plasma techniques are used to detect substances in liquid, then plasma optical emission spectrum can be obtained, but light signal collection is severely interfered with by bubbles, reducing signal intensity and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light detection function from the bulk liquid environment by positioning the optical fiber at the liquid-gas interface or in the gas phase above the liquid. This separation removes the detection element from the harmful bubble environment while maintaining proximity to the plasma source, thereby eliminating bubble interference with light collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the liquid-gas interface as an intermediary zone for light detection. By detecting light at this interface rather than directly in the liquid or from a distance, the system captures plasma emission signals while avoiding direct exposure to bubbles in the liquid bulk, thus mediating between the plasma source and the detection element to eliminate bubble interference.
2Measurement precision
If conventional plasma testing devices are used, then substance detection capability is achieved, but the devices are bulky, expensive, and not portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical plasma generation and detection systems with a simplified configuration using a simple electrode for plasma generation and an optical fiber for light detection. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky conventional plasma testing equipment while maintaining detection capability, enabling portable and cost-effective substance analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal testing system that can detect multiple substances in liquid using the same basic configuration of electrode and optical fiber. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for different specialized devices for different analytes, reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining broad detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If conventional heavy metal test technology is used, then single metal testing can be performed, but the apparatus is expensive and can only test one metal at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal detection system where a single electrode and optical fiber configuration can detect multiple different metals and substances in liquid simultaneously. The system's versatility comes from analyzing different spectral lines from the same plasma source, eliminating the need for multiple specialized apparatuses while maintaining accurate detection capability for each metal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent detects different metals by analyzing different optical emission spectrum parameters (wavelengths, intensities) from the plasma. By changing the spectral analysis parameters rather than the physical detection setup, the system can identify and quantify multiple metals using the same hardware configuration, achieving multi-metal testing capability without additional apparatus.
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
Enhances signal intensity and accuracy by effectively collecting plasma optical emission spectrum signals, enabling portable, compact, and cost-effective testing of multiple metals with minimal interference, achieving quick and accurate results.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode is adapted to produce a plasma in the liquid under test under an applied voltage
Implementation Method 2
testing an optical emission spectrum of the plasma optically
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a device for detecting substances in a liquid to be tested using plasma spectroscopy, including an electrode, at least a portion of which is configured to be disposed in the liquid to be tested and is suitable to contact the liquid to be tested, the electrode being suitable to generate a plasma in the liquid to be tested by applying an external voltage, wherein the plasma is located in a bubble generated by the external voltage; a light detector, configured to detect the emission spectrum generated by the plasma in the bubble, wherein the light detector is an optical fiber, and there is no focusing element between the light detector and the plasma.