Optical Illumination System with Lightguide and Back Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems for detecting target analytes in test samples face challenges due to low optical intensity of light sources and inadequate absorption of light by test materials, leading to suboptimal detection sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The optical system incorporates an optical illumination system with a lightguide, light source, back reflector, and emission surface, along with a cavity containing an optical well with high optical transmittance sidewalls and a back reflector with high optical reflectance, facilitating light recycling and enhanced absorption by the test sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources are used in optical systems, then the device complexity is low, but the optical intensity is insufficient leading to poor detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional components: light source, lightguide, back reflector, cavity, and optical well. This segmentation allows optimization of each component's light-handling properties while maintaining overall system manageability and modular complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A lightguide acts as an intermediary between the light source and test sample, directing and concentrating light. The cavity and reflectors serve as intermediaries to recycle light that would otherwise be lost, mediating between the light source and sample to enhance overall optical intensity.
2Reliability
If conventional optical systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the light absorption by test sample is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity with back reflector creates a continuous light recycling pathway. Light that passes through the optical well and misses the sample is reflected back by the back reflector and cavity walls, continuing to interact with the sample rather than being lost, thereby enhancing absorption continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical well is nested within the cavity structure. The optical well contains the test sample, while the cavity surrounds it with reflective walls. This nested arrangement maximizes the light path length through the sample region without requiring a large overall footprint.
3Illumination intensity
If light recycling is implemented through cavity and reflectors, then the optical intensity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The back reflector and cavity walls are merged into a single integrated light-recycling structure. The optical well is integrated within the cavity, combining multiple light-handling functions into unified components rather than separate elements, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity structure serves multiple functions: it contains the optical well, provides light recycling through its reflective walls, and defines the optical path geometry. The back reflector simultaneously redirects light and maintains cavity pressure/structural integrity, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
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 improves the absorption of light by the test sample and enhances the optical intensity of the emitted light, leading to better detection sensitivity and diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The back reflector is disposed proximate a first major surface of the at least one lightguide... each of the back reflector and the cavity wall has an optical reflectance of greater than about 60%
Implementation Method 2
each of the bottom wall portion and the one or more sidewall portions of the optical well has an optical transmittance of greater than about 60%
Implementation Method 3
The test sample is configured to receive at least a portion of the light exiting the optical illumination system through the emission surface and at least absorb a portion of the received light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical construction includes a first chamber including one or more first walls disposed inside a second chamber including one or more second walls. The first chamber includes a first top and an opposite closed first bottom. The second chamber includes an open second top proximate the open first top and an opposite second bottom proximate the closed first bottom. At least a portion of the one or more second walls includes a plurality of microlayers numbering at least 20 in total. The at least the portion of the one or more second walls faces, and is spaced apart by a non-zero gap from, a corresponding at least a portion of the one or more first walls. The non-zero gap is filled with a material having a lower index of refraction than at least an outermost surface of the at least the portion of the one or more second walls.