Optical Member with Diffraction Grating for Uniform Illuminance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers face challenges in miniaturization due to low light utilization efficiency and non-uniform illuminance on multilayer films caused by non-uniform light angles, which affects wavelength measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An optical member comprising a diffraction grating and an angle selection film, where the diffraction grating diffracts light and transmits only light incident at a predetermined angle, ensuring uniform illuminance and miniaturization by using a bilaterally symmetrical diffraction grating with small groove intervals and a multilayer film with alternating refractive indices, such as germanium and zinc sulfide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a multilayer film is used to select light angles for miniaturization, then device size is reduced, but illuminance uniformity on the multilayer film deteriorates due to non-uniform light angles
Solution Approach 1:
A diffraction grating is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the light source and the multilayer film. The diffraction grating diffracts incident light into multiple orders, and by selecting specific diffraction orders, light with uniform angles is directed onto the multilayer film. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing uniform illuminance while maintaining the compact design enabled by the multilayer film.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of incident light by utilizing diffraction grating equations. By controlling the diffraction order and grating parameters, the system transforms non-uniform light angles into uniform angles incident on the multilayer film, thereby achieving uniform illuminance while maintaining device miniaturization.
2Measurement precision
If conventional light parallelization methods (slit, pinhole, lens) are used, then wavelength measurement accuracy is improved, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates and device miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical light parallelization methods (slits, pinholes, lenses) with an optical diffraction-based system. The diffraction grating and multilayer film combination provides wavelength-dependent angular separation, achieving wavelength measurement accuracy without the light loss and size constraints of conventional mechanical methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite optical structure combining a diffraction grating and a multilayer film with alternating high and low refractive index layers. This composite structure achieves both light parallelization and wavelength selection functions simultaneously, improving light utilization efficiency while maintaining measurement precision and enabling miniaturization.
3Loss of energy
If a diffraction grating with small groove intervals is used, then light efficiency is improved and miniaturization is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the diffraction grating parameters, specifically the groove interval, to achieve a balance between light efficiency and manufacturing feasibility. By carefully selecting the groove interval and diffraction order, the system achieves high light efficiency and miniaturization while maintaining manufacturable precision requirements.
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
The solution achieves uniform illuminance and enhances light efficiency, allowing for the miniaturization of spectrometers while maintaining accurate wavelength measurement, improving the device's compactness and analysis capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction grating that diffracts the incident light and emits the light to the angle selection film
Implementation Method 2
This multilayer film is designed to transmit only p-polarized light incident at a Brewster's angle
Implementation Method 3
the angle selection film includes at least two or more layers of a first member and a second member that are alternately stacked, and the first member has a refractive index larger than a refractive index of the second member
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an optical member and an optical apparatus capable of miniaturizing a device while illuminance on a multilayer film is uniform. The present technology provides an optical member including an angle selection film that transmits light incident at a predetermined angle among incident light, and a diffraction grating that diffracts the incident light and emits the light to the angle selection film, in which the diffraction grating and the angle selection film are disposed in an order of the diffraction grating and the angle selection film from an incident side of the light. Furthermore, the present technology also provides an optical apparatus including the optical member, a wavelength selector that transmits light of a predetermined wavelength among light transmitted by the optical member, and a light receiver that receives light transmitted by the wavelength selector, in which the optical member, the wavelength selector, and the light receiver are disposed in an order of the optical member, the wavelength selector, and the light receiver from the incident side of the light.