Plasmonic Optical Measurement Device With Reference Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensors face challenges in maintaining accuracy, stability, and robustness while being cost-effective, with external factors like temperature, humidity, and ambient light affecting performance, and long-term drift of components being a concern.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement device utilizing a plasmonic sensing element with two light sensors and sources, alternating illumination, and circuitry for signal comparison to compensate for intrinsic and external factors, ensuring consistent intensity ratios and reducing long-term drift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lasers are used as light sources for optical measurements, then stability of emitted light intensity and wavelength is improved, but cost and device footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reference light path that copies the measurement light path to create a reference signal. This reference path includes a reference sample holder and reference detector that replicate the optical configuration, allowing the system to compensate for laser intensity fluctuations without requiring additional stable light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference detector as an intermediary element that receives light through the reference sample holder. This intermediary component measures the reference signal that reflects laser intensity variations, which is then used to normalize the measurement signal from the primary detector, eliminating the need for expensive stable lasers
2Measurement precision
If conventional optical sensors are used, then basic measurement capability is achieved, but sensitivity and accuracy are reduced due to external factor interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reference detector continuously monitors laser intensity variations and this information is fed back to normalize the measurement signal. The system calculates the ratio of measurement signal to reference signal, providing real-time compensation for external factors such as temperature, humidity, and ambient light that affect both paths equally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of external factor interference into a beneficial reference signal. By designing the reference path to experience the same environmental conditions as the measurement path, the system uses the interference itself as a calibration reference, transforming noise into useful information for signal normalization
3Reliability
If single light source and sensor configuration is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but ability to compensate for long-term drift and external factors is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into two distinct but parallel paths: a measurement path with measurement detector and sample holder, and a reference path with reference detector and reference sample holder. This segmentation allows independent monitoring of measurement and reference signals, enabling drift compensation while maintaining modular device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the measurement and reference functions into a single integrated device housing. Both light paths share common components such as the laser source, optical bench, and environmental conditions, while maintaining separate detection channels. This combining approach achieves compensation capability without proportionally increasing overall device 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
The device provides robust and stable readout by compensating for external influences, improving sensitivity and accuracy in determining ambient properties, allowing small sample size and cost-effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
Such a sensing section can be capable of supporting travelling electromagnetic waves, usually referred to as surface plasmon polaritons, at an interface between the thin film or particles and the ambient environment. The surface plasmon polaritons can be either propagating, as is the case for a continuous film, or localized, as is the case for particles.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a method and device for determining a property of an ambient environment. The device comprises a plasmonic sensing element (100); a first light source (130) for illuminating a first and a second light sensor (110, 120), the first sensor (110) via the plasmonic sensing element (100); a second light source (140) for illuminating the light sensors (110, 120); circuitry for executing: a control function (152) controlling light sources (130, 140), a function (154) receiving a measurement from the first sensor (110), and a first signal from the second sensor (120), a function (156) receiving a reference from the first sensor (110), and a second signal from the second sensor (120), a function (158) determining the property by comparing the measurement and reference signals, and the control function (152) further controlling light sources (130, 140) such that a relation of intensities of light emitted by the light sources (130, 140) is constant over time.