Photometry Dynamic Range via Wavelength-Dependent Responsivity Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical devices used for determining analyte presence and concentration in samples face challenges due to wavelength-dependent responsivity, leading to limited dynamic range and the need for sample dilution and complex, costly solutions.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a light source comprising multiple light emitting elements emitting different wavelengths, where the intensity of each element is adjusted inversely to the detection unit's responsivity, and optionally a light regulator to compensate for wavelength-dependent responsivity, ensuring a more stable baseline signal across wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used to illuminate the sample across the visible wavelength range, then the device complexity is reduced, but the usable dynamic range is limited due to wavelength-dependent responsivity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The single light source is segmented into multiple light emitting elements, each emitting at a specific wavelength or narrow wavelength range. This segmentation allows independent intensity control for each wavelength, enabling compensation of the detection unit's wavelength-dependent responsivity and thereby extending the usable dynamic range across the visible spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The intensity parameter of each light emitting element is independently adjusted to compensate for the detection unit's responsivity variations across wavelengths. By changing the intensity parameter of individual wavelength sources, the system maintains a more uniform baseline signal across the visible range, expanding the measurable dynamic range.
2Reliability
If photomultipliers are used as detectors, then the overall sensitivity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the intensity parameter of individual wavelength sources, the system maintains a more uniform baseline signal across the visible range, expanding the measurable dynamic range.
3Measurement precision
If the intensity of light sources is increased to improve signal strength, then the measurement sensitivity is improved, but stray light effects and saturation occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing light intensity across all wavelengths, the system applies local quality by independently controlling the intensity of each light emitting element. This allows optimization of signal strength at each wavelength while avoiding excessive intensity that would cause stray light effects or detector saturation.
Solution Approach 2:
The intensity parameter of each light emitting element is independently adjusted to compensate for the detection unit's responsivity variations across wavelengths. By changing the intensity parameter of individual wavelength sources, the system maintains a more uniform baseline signal across the visible range, expanding the measurable dynamic range.
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 approach reduces the dynamic range variation of the baseline signal, allowing for a broader usable dynamic range for analyte detection without the need for sample dilution and enables the use of less expensive detectors, while minimizing stray light effects.
Implementation Method 1
a light source comprising at least two light emitting elements for emitting light of different respective usable wavelength ranges
Implementation Method 2
The responsivity is defined as the ratio of generated photocurrent (A) to incident light power (W)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device for determining the presence and/or concentration of analytes in a sample is presented. The optical device comprises a detector and a detection unit comprising optical path components. The detection unit has wavelength-dependent responsivity. The optical device further comprises a light source for emitting light of different respective usable wavelength ranges. The light is guidable through the optical path to the detector to generate baseline signals and response signals relative to the baseline signal indicative of the presence and/or concentration of analytes in the optical path. The intensity of the light reaching the detector is adjusted inverse to the wavelength-dependent responsivity with respect to at least two respective usable wavelength ranges so that a reduction of the ratio between the maximum baseline signal at one of the selected usable wavelength ranges and the minimum baseline signal at another of the selected usable wavelength ranges is obtained.