Optical Measurement Using Separated Irradiation Areas for Moving Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical measurement methods require long integration times to measure samples with long-time physical property parameters, leading to sample degradation and high costs due to the use of pulsed light sources.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement apparatus and method that uses separate excitation and probe light irradiation areas, allowing continuous measurement of samples with varying movement speeds or flow rates, using continuous light sources to calculate optical and physical property parameters in a short time without waiting for the sample to return to a steady state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical measurement methods use long integration time to measure samples with long-time physical property parameters, then measurement accuracy is improved, but sample degradation occurs and measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into two spatially separated irradiation areas: a first irradiation area for excitation light and a second irradiation area for probe light. This segmentation allows the excitation and detection processes to occur at different locations, enabling continuous measurement without requiring the sample to return to steady state, thus reducing measurement time and sample degradation while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies excitation light to the sample in advance at the first irradiation area, creating a transient response that propagates to the second irradiation area. By measuring the probe light transmission at the second area during this transient response, the system captures measurement data before the sample fully returns to steady state, enabling faster repeated measurements.
2Measurement precision
If conventional methods wait for the sample to return to steady state before subsequent irradiation, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but measurement time and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating excitation and probe irradiation into different spatial areas, the patent enables overlapping measurement cycles. While one sample portion is recovering from excitation, another portion is already being probed, eliminating the need to wait for complete steady-state recovery and reducing overall measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous measurement by continuously irradiating the moving sample with both excitation and probe light as it flows through the measurement cell. The sample's continuous motion ensures that fresh sample portions are constantly available for measurement, maintaining uninterrupted measurement action without waiting for steady-state recovery.
3Speed
If pulsed light sources are used for optical measurement, then transient response measurement is enabled, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for pulsed light sources with continuous light sources combined with a moving sample mechanism. The sample's physical motion through the irradiation areas provides the temporal resolution previously achieved only through pulsed illumination, substituting a mechanical transport system for complex pulsed optical systems while reducing cost and simplifying the overall device.
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 fast and accurate measurement of long-time physical property parameters with reduced sample degradation and lower system costs by using continuous light sources and non-overlapping irradiation areas, improving temporal resolution and reducing exposure times.
Implementation Method 1
when a sample is optically excited by irradiation with pulsed light, an optical parameter of the sample exhibits a transient response according to a physical property parameter, including a lifetime of an excited state
Implementation Method 2
a transient absorption measurement method and a transient absorption measurement apparatus that enable, with a simple structure, measurement of transient absorption characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measurement apparatus 10 according to the present disclosure includes a first irradiator 11a configured to irradiate, with excitation light L1, a single first irradiation area R1 on a movement path of a moving sample, a second irradiator 11b configured to irradiate, with probe light L2, a second irradiation area R2 that is located on a movement direction side of the sample on the movement path, a detection unit 12b1, and a controller 15 configured to calculate an optical parameter at a plurality of time points, based on the detection intensity of the probe light L2 that has been transmitted through the sample at each of the plurality of time points different from each other in a transient response of the optical parameter of the sample due to excitation by the excitation light L1, and calculate a physical property parameter of the sample based on the calculated optical parameter.