Optical Spectroscopy With Folded Interference for High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical spectroscopy devices face challenges in achieving high spectral resolution while maintaining a compact design and efficiently detecting weak spectra from extended scatter spots.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a transmissive diffraction element combined with reflection elements to split object light into two wavelength-dependent light components, which interfere to form an interference pattern, allowing for high spectral resolution and compact design, with a diffraction element acting as a beam splitter and reflection elements positioned next to it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single-pass diffraction element is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spectral resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a diffraction element with reflection elements (first and second reflection elements) into an integrated optical path configuration. The diffraction element serves dual purposes: it diffracts light into different orders while also acting as a beam splitter. The reflection elements reflect different diffracted orders back through the diffraction element, creating a folded optical path that achieves double-pass spectral resolution without requiring separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by folding the optical path using reflection elements positioned at specific angles. Instead of a simple linear single-pass configuration, the light travels through the diffraction element, reflects off the first reflection element, passes through the diffraction element again, reflects off the second reflection element, and passes through once more to reach the detection unit. This multi-dimensional path arrangement effectively doubles the spectral resolution while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Volume of stationary object
If the spectroscopy apparatus is designed to be compact, then the volume is reduced, but the spectral resolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the first and second reflection elements are positioned adjacent to and optically coupled with the diffraction element. The reflection elements are arranged to reflect light back through the diffraction element, creating a compact nested optical path. This nesting allows the double-pass optical path (which would normally require more space) to be folded into a compact volume, achieving high spectral resolution without increasing device size.
3Measurement precision
If weak spectra from extended scatter spots are detected, then the sensitivity is improved, but the signal detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous optical path from the extended scatter spot through the diffraction element, reflection elements, and detection unit. The folded optical path maintains continuous light collection from the entire extended scatter spot area, maximizing the collected signal. The double-pass through the diffraction element enhances the spectral information content while the compact nested design maintains high light yield, enabling detection of weak spectra with improved signal-to-noise ratio.
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 achieves twice the spectral resolution of single-pass systems, supports high light yield and sensitivity, enabling detection of weak spectra from extended scatter spots, and maintains a compact form factor without moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
a first light component of the object light is transmitted from the diffraction element is reflected at the first reflection element and diffracted at the diffraction element in the direction of the detection unit in a wavelength-dependent manner, wherein a second light component of the object light is diffracted at the diffraction element in the direction of the second reflection element in a wavelength-dependent manner
Implementation Method 2
a first light component of the object light is transmitted from the diffraction element is reflected at the first reflection element and diffracted at the diffraction element in the direction of the detection unit
Implementation Method 3
the wavefronts of the first light component and of the second light component interfere at the detection unit depending on the wavelength of the object light to form a respective interference pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical Spectroscopy apparatus. The Spectroscopy apparatus comprises a transmissive diffraction element on which object light from an examination object is incident via an input aperture of the spectroscopy apparatus, a first reflection element and a second reflection element arranged downstream of the diffraction element with respect to a defined direction of arrival of the object light, a detection unit which is arranged downstream of the diffraction element with respect to object light reflected by the reflection elements, and an evaluation unit which is coupled to the detection unit, wherein the diffraction element forms a beam splitter element, wherein a first light component of the object light is transmitted by the diffraction element, is reflected at the first reflection element and is diffracted at the diffraction element in a wavelength-dependent manner in the direction of the detection unit, wherein a second light component of the object light is diffracted at the diffraction element in a wavelength-dependent manner in the direction of the second reflection element, is reflected at the latter in the direction of the detection unit and is transmitted from the diffraction element and wherein the wavefronts of the first light component and of the second light component interfere at the detection unit depending on the wavelength of the object light to form a respective interference pattern, on the basis of which at least one wavelength of the object light and preferably a plurality of wavelengths of the object light can be determined by the evaluation unit.