Photonic Crystal Sensor Structure Resolving Rupture Contradiction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor devices with vibrating crystalline membranes are prone to rupture due to ambient pressure variations, making them unreliable and challenging to manufacture as shock-resistant devices with correct elasticity and operating voltage calibration.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design featuring a substrate with an optical source and detector, and a structure of optical cavities spanning an opening, which operates without moving parts, allowing for pressure, temperature, and gas detection by analyzing light transmission and reflection changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibrating crystalline membrane is used in the sensor, then the sensor can generate electrical signals through vibration, but the membrane is prone to rupture under ambient pressure variations and is difficult to manufacture with correct elasticity and operating voltage calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vibrating membrane system with an optical detection system. Instead of using a physical membrane that vibrates and generates electrical signals, the invention uses light transmission through a cavity to detect pressure changes. This substitution eliminates the mechanical rupture risk while maintaining sensor functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vibrating membrane is used to detect pressure changes, then pressure sensing is enabled, but large or sudden pressure variations cause membrane rupture and sensor failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical membrane with an optical cavity system that uses light transmission properties to detect pressure. The cavity structure responds to pressure changes by altering light transmission without physical rupture, enabling the sensor to withstand shock and pressure variations that would destroy a traditional membrane-based sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the pressure environment and the detection system. Instead of directly measuring membrane vibration, the system uses light transmission through the cavity as a mediator to indirectly detect pressure changes, protecting the sensor from direct mechanical stress while maintaining detection capability.
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 provides a robust, shock-resistant sensor capable of detecting pressure, temperature, and gases without membrane rupture, ensuring reliable operation across varying ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
operates without moving parts, allowing for pressure, temperature, and gas detection by analyzing light transmission and reflection changes
Implementation Method 2
a sensor, which may include a photonic crystalline sensing element
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor and methods of making a sensor are disclosed. The sensor may include a substrate including an opening, an optical source disposed in the substrate and configured to generate an optical source signal, an optical detector disposed in the substrate so that the opening is disposed between the optical source and the optical detector, a plurality of optical cavity structures disposed in the opening wherein each of the plurality of optical cavity structures contains an enclosed cavity so that the respective enclosed cavities are not in gas communication with each other, wherein the plurality of optical cavity structures are arranged in an optical path between the optical source and the optical detector, and a processing circuit coupled to the optical detector and configured to process an optical signal received by the optical detector.