PEM Phase Difference Control for Continuous-Scanning CD Spectrometers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing phase difference control devices for photoelastic modulators in spectrometers are limited in responsiveness, making it difficult to maintain stable phase difference control during wavelength variations, which restricts their application to continuous-scanning spectrometers like circular dichroism spectrometers.

Innovation Solution

A phase difference control device and method that incorporates a PEM control circuit with a feedback control loop and a CPU circuit to monitor wavelength variations, calculating a feedforward signal and arithmetically processing it with the feedback signal to generate a modulation control quantity signal, improving responsiveness and enabling stable phase difference control even with continuous-scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a feedback control loop is used to maintain phase difference, then stability is improved, but responsiveness to wavelength variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase difference stabilityVSAvoidresponsiveness to wavelength variation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting wavelength variations before they significantly affect the phase difference, and by using a feedforward control mechanism that anticipates and compensates for wavelength changes proactively. The system monitors wavelength in real-time and adjusts the phase difference control signal in advance, rather than merely reacting to phase difference deviations after they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines feedback control with feedforward control to maintain phase difference stability. The feedback loop continuously monitors the actual phase difference and compares it with the target value, generating error signals that are used to adjust the control signal. This is enhanced by adding a feedforward component that proactively compensates for detected wavelength variations, creating a hybrid control system that achieves both stability and responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If conventional phase difference control is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to continuous-scanning spectrometers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol circuit complexityVSAvoidapplicability to continuous-scanning spectrometers
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances adaptability by designing a control system that can operate effectively in both step-scanning and continuous-scanning modes. The control device incorporates wavelength detection and dynamic adjustment capabilities that make it universally applicable to different spectrometer operating modes, transforming a mode-specific control approach into a versatile solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a control system that can adapt its behavior based on the operating mode and wavelength variation conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the phase difference control signal in real-time based on detected wavelength changes, enabling it to handle both static (step-scanning) and dynamic (continuous-scanning) measurement scenarios effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution enhances responsiveness, allowing the phase difference control device to handle both step-scanning and continuous-scanning, ensuring stable phase difference control and expanding its application to spectrometers requiring continuous-scanning.

Implementation Method 1

The PEM is generally known as an element that uses birefringence to modulate the phase of an incoming polarized light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBirefringence: Birefringence

Implementation Method 2

the ratio of the amplitude of the AC component of the angular frequency of 2 ω to the magnitude of the DC component in the detected reference light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3760993B1Phase difference control device
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 JASCO CORP
  • EP3760993B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3760993B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3760993B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a technique for improving a response characteristic of a phase difference control device that can be used in a circular dichroism (CD) dispersion meter. The phase difference control device is provided with a splitting polarizer 14 which splits light from a light source 12 into linearly polarized measuring light and linearly polarized reference light, a photoelastic modulator (PEM) 16 which imparts a phase difference to the measuring light and the reference light to correspond to spectral measurement, a PEM driver 18 which supplies a modulation voltage to the PEM 16, a PEM control circuit 24 into which the reference light is input as a feedback signal, and which outputs a modulation control quantity signal to the PEM driver 18, and a CPU circuit 26 which monitors the wavelength of light from the splitting polarizer 14 and into which a change in wavelength is input as a wavelength signal, wherein the CPU circuit 26 converts the wavelength signal into a feed-forward signal, and the feed-forward signal is input into the PEM control circuit 24, and the PEM control circuit 24 performs arithmetic processing using the feedback signal and the feed-forward signal, and outputs the modulation control quantity signal to the PEM driver 18.