Optical Rotation Measurement via Asymmetric Incident Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical rotation measurement methods face challenges in accurately measuring optical rotation due to cancellation effects when reflected light is reflected in the same direction as the incident light, making it difficult to calculate the angle of optical rotation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves directing measurement light at a non-right angle to the subject and using a reference light to interfere with and discriminate the optical rotation reflecting component from reflected light, allowing for accurate measurement by changing the light path length and using a single beam splitter for splitting and combining functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If measurement light is incident perpendicularly on the subject surface for reflective optical measurement, then the measurement configuration is simple and easy to operate, but optical rotation is cancelled out because the optical rotation in the incident direction is cancelled by the optical rotation in the opposite reflection direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the incident angle from perpendicular (0 degrees) to a non-perpendicular angle (e.g., 45 degrees). This asymmetric incident angle ensures that the light propagation path in the incident direction does not coincide with the reflection direction, preventing the cancellation of optical rotation effects and enabling accurate measurement of optical rotation in reflective optical measurement.
2Measurement precision
If measurement light is incident at a non-right angle to measure optical rotation accurately, then optical rotation measurement precision is improved, but the measurement configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a beam splitter that serves multiple functions: it divides the incident light into measurement light and reference light, and also combines the reflected light with the reference light. This multi-functional component simplifies the overall optical path design while maintaining the non-perpendicular incident angle configuration, thereby reducing device complexity despite the improved measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reference light as an intermediary element that does not interact with the subject but serves as a comparison baseline. By interfering the reflected light (which contains optical rotation information) with the reference light, the system can accurately extract optical rotation signals while maintaining a relatively simple optical configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reflected light is used for measurement, then non-contact measurement is enabled, but optical rotation information is lost due to cancellation in the reflection path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical rotation information from the reflected light by interfering it with the reference light. The beam splitter separates the reflected light containing optical rotation information from the reference light, and through interference, the optical rotation component is extracted and measured, preventing information loss while maintaining non-contact measurement capability.
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 approach effectively suppresses cancellation of optical rotation and enables precise measurement of optical rotation, enhancing accuracy and allowing for the calculation of blood sugar levels based on the measured optical rotation.
Implementation Method 1
causing the reference light to interfere with polarized light component in the reflected light
Implementation Method 2
Optical rotation is a property according to which the polarization plane rotates when linear polarized light passes through an optically active substance
Data Source
AI summary
An optical rotation measurement method includes causing measurement light of a predetermined polarization to be incident on a subject from an incident direction that is a non-right angle to the subject, discriminating an optical rotation reflecting component of the predetermined polarization from reflected light that is reflected in a different direction to the incident direction of the subject, and measuring the optical rotation based on the discrimination result.