Optoelectronic Device for 3D Substance Distribution Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared spectroscopy methods lack spatial information about the distribution of constituents within a sample, failing to provide detailed insights into the spatial distribution of substances.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic device comprising a plurality of emitter elements and time-of-flight detector elements, which sequentially emit light of different wavelength ranges and measure the intensity and distance of reflected light to generate high-resolution 2D and 3D images, allowing for the determination of substance distribution within a sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional infrared spectroscopy methods are used, then chemical composition analysis is possible, but spatial information about substance distribution is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the detection function into multiple spatially resolved detector elements, each capable of measuring at specific locations. This segmentation allows simultaneous chemical composition analysis and spatial distribution mapping by assigning different detector elements to different spatial positions, thereby recovering the lost spatial information without requiring a completely new system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional 1D spectral analysis to 2D or 3D spatial-spectral imaging by adding spatial dimensions to the detection system. Multiple detector elements arranged in space enable the system to capture both spectral information (chemical composition) and spatial information (distribution) simultaneously, effectively adding dimensional capabilities to the measurement system
2Loss of information
If multiple wavelength ranges are measured simultaneously, then comprehensive substance distribution information is obtained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter system is segmented into multiple independent emitter elements, each capable of emitting at different wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows the system to measure multiple wavelength ranges simultaneously at different spatial positions, obtaining comprehensive substance distribution information while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular emitter design
Solution Approach 2:
Each emitter element is designed with multi-functionality, capable of emitting at different wavelength ranges depending on configuration. This universal design allows a single emitter element to serve multiple spectral measurement functions, reducing the total number of components needed while maintaining comprehensive spectral coverage for substance distribution analysis
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution 2D grayscale images are recorded for multiple wavelength ranges, then detailed substance distribution maps are generated, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary spatial mapping by simultaneously capturing 2D grayscale images at multiple wavelength ranges across the entire sample area. This preliminary action establishes the spatial distribution framework before detailed spectral analysis is performed, enabling high-resolution substance distribution maps to be generated more efficiently by leveraging the pre-acquired spatial information
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system operates continuously by simultaneously acquiring data at multiple wavelength ranges across different spatial positions without interruption. This continuous measurement approach eliminates the need for sequential scanning, maintaining high measurement precision while significantly reducing total measurement time through parallel data collection at multiple wavelengths and positions
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
Enables the generation of spatially resolved 3D maps of substance distribution, providing detailed information on the occurrence and concentration of substances at different positions within the sample, including tomographic images when certain wavelengths are not reflected at the surface.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of emitter elements configured to emit light of different wavelength ranges
Implementation Method 2
time-of-flight detector elements configured to detect light emitted by the emitter elements and reflected from the sample
Implementation Method 3
a portion of the light is reflected from the sample to the time-of-flight detector elements
Implementation Method 4
the evaluation unit is configured to generate, for each wavelength range emitted by the emitter elements, a spatially three-dimensional image of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic device may include an arrangement having a plurality of emitter elements configured to sequentially emit light of different wavelength ranges. The arrangement may include a plurality of time-of-flight detector elements configured to detect the light emitted by the emitter elements and reflected at a sample and to carry out a measurement for determining the distance of the reflection point of the light at the sample from the respective time-of-flight detector element. The device further includes an evaluation unit configured to generate a three-dimensional image of the sample for each wavelength range emitted by the emitter elements on the basis of the light detected by the time-of-flight detector elements and the distance of the reflection point of the light from the respective time-of-flight detector element and to determine the distribution of a substance in the sample from the images.