Resolve-Path Optical Sampling With Segmented Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorption spectroscopy systems face challenges in accurately measuring heterogeneous samples due to diffuse scattering, leading to increased sensitivity to inhomogeneity and noise, including incoherent and coherent noise, which are not effectively addressed by existing architectures.
Innovation Solution
An optical sampling architecture that emits a launch sheet light beam from an elongated launch region and receives a detection sheet light beam from an equally elongated detection region, utilizing waveguides, reflectors, and an outcoupler array to control optical path lengths and sampling depths, reducing noise through a staggered arrangement and phase control network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional absorption spectroscopy systems measure light interacting with heterogeneous samples, then sample property determination is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to diffuse scattering and sensitivity to inhomogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
The detection region is divided into multiple pixel elements that can independently detect light at different spatial locations and angles. This segmentation allows the system to resolve scattered light from different path lengths and sampling depths, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy in heterogeneous samples by separating the contributions of different light paths
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from conventional point-based or single-area detection to a two-dimensional detection region with pixels arranged in rows and columns. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous measurement of light at multiple angles and positions, providing spatial and angular resolution that distinguishes between ballistically transmitted light and diffusely scattered light, thus improving measurement accuracy
2Reliability
If optical measurements are performed in heterogeneous samples, then sample properties can be determined, but noise increases due to incoherent and coherent scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and isolates the ballistically transmitted light component from the total detected light by using the angular and spatial resolution provided by the multi-pixel detection region. By selectively detecting light within specific angular ranges that correspond to ballistic paths and excluding light at larger angles corresponding to scattered paths, the system removes the harmful scattered light components that contribute to incoherent and coherent noise
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the detection region to measure the spatial and angular distribution of returned light, which provides feedback information about the sample's optical properties and scattering characteristics. This feedback enables real-time adjustment of detection parameters and improves signal quality by identifying and emphasizing ballistic light components while suppressing scattered light contributions
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
Enhances measurement accuracy by averaging signals over larger sample volumes, reducing both incoherent and coherent noise, and improving signal-to-noise ratio by selectively measuring light that has undergone a single scattering event.
Implementation Method 1
Diffuse scattering may involve light interacting with a relatively small sample volume
Implementation Method 2
one or more waveguides can output light
Data Source
AI summary
Described here are optical sampling architectures and methods for operation thereof. An optical sampling architecture can be capable of emitting a launch sheet light beam towards a launch region and receiving a detection sheet light beam from a detection region. The launch region can have one dimension that is elongated relative to another dimension. The detection region can also have one dimension elongated relative to another dimension such that the system can selectively accept light having one or more properties (e.g., angle of incidence, beam size, beam shape, etc.). In some examples, the elongated dimension of the detection region can be greater than the elongated dimension of the launch region. In some examples, the system can include an outcoupler array and associated components for creating a launch sheet light beam having light rays with different in-plane launch positions and/or in-plane launch angles.