Optical Filter Element With Variable Resonance Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectroscopic devices require complex and costly optics to maintain high spectral resolution and directional sensitivity, leading to increased size and cost, while also facing challenges with wavelength calibration and temporal resolution due to intrinsic dispersion and the need for precise angular alignment of light signals.
Innovation Solution
The use of an optical filter element comprising at least two microresonators with alternating high and low refractive index layers and a variable resonance layer, integrated on a transparent substrate, which allows for compact and cost-effective spectroscopic devices by decoupling the microresonators and enabling directional selectivity without additional optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional dispersive elements (prisms or gratings) are used to achieve high spectral resolution, then the spectral resolution is improved, but the device size and complexity increase due to the need for sufficient geometric extent and precise alignment of optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dispersive function and the detection function into a single integrated device. The microlens array is directly coupled to the detector array, eliminating the need for separate alignment of dispersive elements and detectors. This integration maintains spectral resolution while reducing device complexity and alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional one-dimensional spectral dispersion to a two-dimensional approach using microlens arrays. Each microlens corresponds to a specific wavelength range and focuses light onto corresponding detector elements, creating a spatial mapping of spectral information that reduces alignment sensitivity.
2Length of moving object
If the signal path length is shortened to reduce device size, then the device compactness is improved, but the spectral resolution deteriorates because the length cannot be arbitrarily shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a two-dimensional microlens array where each microlens focuses light at a specific angle corresponding to a wavelength range. This angular-spectral mapping allows compact signal paths while maintaining spectral resolution through the spatial distribution of focused light on the detector array.
3Volume of moving object
If bandpass filters with locally variable filter characteristics are used to separate spectral components, then the device compactness is improved, but the directional sensitivity decreases due to angular dependency of the filter characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into multiple microlenses, each handling a specific angular range and corresponding wavelength range. This segmentation allows each microlens to operate within a narrow angular acceptance range, maintaining directional sensitivity while achieving compact device design through the collective action of all microlenses.
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 solution achieves high spectral resolution and directional sensitivity with a compact design, reducing the need for upstream optical elements and enabling integration into various processes, while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratios and allowing for flexible spectral width and position adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
Each microlens 1.1 is assigned a specific spectral range and focuses light corresponding to this spectral range onto the corresponding detector elements 2.2
Implementation Method 2
a connected detector 2 for detecting signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical filter element (50) for devices (70) for converting spectral information into location information, using a connected detector (30) for detecting signals, said element having at least two microresonators (10, 11), a microresonator (10; 11) at least comprising - at least two superposed reflective layer structures (4, 6; 8, 9) which consist at least of a material layer (2) having a high refractive index and a material layer (3) having a low refractive index in an alternating sequence, as well as - at least one superposed resonance layer (5; 7) which is arranged between said two superposed reflective layer structures (4, 6; 8, 9). The filter element (50) comprises at least one transparent plane-parallel substrate (1) for optically decoupling said two microresonators (10, 11), the first microresonator (10; 11) being located on a first of the two opposing surfaces (51; 52) of said substrate (1), and the second microresonator (11; 10) being located on said substrate (1) on a second surface (54) thereof (1) that lies opposite the first surface (51), the resonance layer (5; 7) of at least one microresonator (10; 11), and/or the reflective layer structure (4, 6; 8, 9) that surrounds said resonance layer (5; 7), having a layer thickness which can vary along a horizontal axis (25) of said filter element (50).