Optochemical Sensor Hood Geometry for Stray Light Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optochemical sensors face challenges in miniaturization and interference issues due to the high intensity of excitation light, which affects measurement accuracy, especially in small-structured devices like microchips and printed circuit boards, where stray light can distort measurements.
Innovation Solution
The optochemical sensor design features an excitation light source and detector fixed to a base plate with a hood providing geometric and material separation, using an optical waveguide for angled light incidence to maximize fluorescence light detection, incorporating a reference light source on the same axis, and a detachable hood with reflective and unidirectional radiation barrier surfaces to prevent interference and stray light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the excitation light source and detector are placed close together for miniaturization, then the sensor size is reduced, but stray light from the excitation source interferes with the detector and reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A hood structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the excitation light source and the detector. This hood contains the excitation light within a defined space, preventing it from reaching the detector directly. The hood acts as a spatial mediator that allows miniaturization while maintaining measurement accuracy by blocking stray light paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is segmented into distinct functional zones: an excitation light source region, a measuring element region, and a detector region. The hood creates physical separation between these zones, allowing each component to be positioned optimally for its function while preventing interference between them, thus enabling compact design without sacrificing precision.
2Illumination intensity
If the excitation light intensity is increased to improve fluorescence signal, then the fluorescence light intensity is enhanced, but stray light interference increases and disturbs the measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The hood serves as a spatial intermediary that confines the excitation light to the measuring element region. This allows high-intensity excitation light to be used for strong fluorescence signals while the hood blocks the stray excitation light from reaching the detector, thus eliminating the trade-off between signal intensity and interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood converts the potentially harmful stray light into a beneficial confined light path. By directing the excitation light precisely onto the measuring element and preventing its escape, the system achieves high fluorescence intensity without proportional increase in interference, effectively converting what would be harmful stray light into useful confined illumination.
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 enhances measurement accuracy by minimizing structural height, maximizing fluorescence light output, and allowing simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes without interference, while maintaining a compact and durable sensor design suitable for integration into small devices.
Implementation Method 1
light from the excitation light source through an optical waveguide impinges on the measuring element at such an angle that fluorescence light emitted by the measuring element impinges perpendicularly on the detector
Implementation Method 2
the excitable substance is excited by light of a specific, suitable wavelength and the molecules, after having been excited, emit the absorbed energy in the form of fluorescence light when returning into their original state
Implementation Method 3
the hood is detachably fixed to the base plate... incorporating a reference light source on the same axis, and a detachable hood with reflective and unidirectional radiation barrier surfaces to prevent interference and stray light
Data Source
AI summary
An optochemical sensor comprises a measuring element excitable by the light of an excitation light source and in contact with a medium to be measured, and a measuring arrangement including at least one excitation light source and a detector as well as a hood separating the measuring arrangement from the measuring element, wherein the excitation light source and the detector are fixed to a base plate arranged in parallel with the measuring element, the hood, the excitation light source and the detector are separated from one another by at least a portion of the material thickness of the hood, and light from the excitation light source through an optical waveguide impinges on the measuring element at such an angle that fluorescence light emitted by the measuring element impinges perpendicularly on the detector.