Photon to Electron Converter with Light Recycling Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Silicon semiconductor photo-sensors and photo-cathodes face low quantum efficiency due to light reflection issues, with existing anti-reflective coatings being expensive and unstable, necessitating a cost-effective solution to enhance their performance.
Innovation Solution
A photon to electron converter with a partially reflective surface and light recycling optics, which absorbs and recycles reflected light beams to increase the detection of input light, without the need for an anti-reflective coating, using one or multiple mirrors or a dome-shaped reflector to redirect beams and enhance light absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an anti-reflective coating is applied to the silicon semiconductor photo-sensor, then the quantum efficiency is improved, but the cost and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful reflected light (which causes loss of quantum efficiency) into a beneficial resource by recycling it back onto the photo-sensor surface. The reflection, instead of being wasted, is redirected through optical elements to impinge on the sensor again, thereby converting a detrimental effect into a useful one that enhances detection capability without requiring unstable coatings
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers the reflected light that would otherwise be discarded or lost. By implementing a light recycling optical path, the system captures the reflected photons and redirects them back to the photo-sensor, effectively recovering energy that would have been wasted and converting it into useful detection signals
2Measurement precision
If an anti-reflective coating is applied to the silicon semiconductor photo-sensor, then the quantum efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for expensive anti-reflective coatings by converting the harmful reflection into a beneficial recycling mechanism. The optical recycling system uses standard optical elements to redirect reflected light, providing a cost-effective alternative to specialized coatings while achieving improved quantum efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, unstable anti-reflective coatings with a more economical optical recycling system using standard mirrors and optical elements. This substitution uses cheaper, readily available components to achieve the same or better performance without the high manufacturing costs and stability issues of specialized coatings
3Loss of energy
If light is reflected from the photo-sensor surface, then the quantum efficiency deteriorates, but the light recycling capability is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces intermediary optical elements (mirrors, lenses, beam splitters) that mediate between the photo-sensor and the reflected light. These intermediaries capture the reflected light and redirect it back onto the sensor, serving as a bridge that converts wasted reflection into useful detection signals while managing the optical path complexity
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 increases the quantum efficiency of silicon semiconductor photo-sensors and photo-cathodes by effectively recycling reflected light, improving their ability to convert photons into electrons while reducing costs associated with coatings.
Implementation Method 1
a photon to electron converter... receive a first light beam emitted from an object and impinging on the partially reflective surface... absorb a first portion of the first light beam... output electrons that represents an absorbed portion of the input light beam
Implementation Method 2
The light recycling optics comprises at least one reflecting element that is shaped and positioned to redirect, towards the partially reflective surface, one or more reflected beams reflected from the partially reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method, an inspection system and a sensing unit. The sensing unit may include a light recycling optics and a photon to electron converter. The photon to electron converter is configured to receive a first light beam emitted from the object and impinging on the partially reflective surface at a first oblique angle, absorb a first portion and reflect a second portion of the first light beam to provide a first reflected beam. The light recycling optics is configured to redirect, towards the partially reflective surface, one or more reflected beams reflected from the partially reflective surface to provide one or more recycled beams. The photon to electron converter is configured to output electrons that represents an absorbed portion of the input light beam and an absorbed portion of each one of the one or more recycled beam.