Portable Optical Emission Analyzer Using Fabry-Pérot Interferometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable analyzer devices face size limitations due to the physical characteristics of optical components like Czerny-Turner spectrometers, which restrict their miniaturization and usability in compact spaces while maintaining analysis performance.
Innovation Solution
Employing a Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI) as a wavelength-selective detector that allows adjustable observation of specific wavelengths, enabling a more compact design without compromising analysis quality by using a tunable air gap width and optional filters to mitigate harmonic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a Czerny-Turner spectrometer is used for wavelength selection, then spectral analysis quality is maintained, but device size increases due to the minimum optical path length requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the wavelength selection mechanism by replacing the Czerny-Turner spectrometer with a Fabry-Pérot interferometer. This interferometer uses a tunable air gap width (d) as its key parameter, which can be adjusted electronically to select different wavelengths. This parameter change enables wavelength selection without requiring the long fixed optical path of traditional spectrometers, thus reducing device size while maintaining spectral analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical optical system of the Czerny-Turner spectrometer (involving mirrors, gratings, and long optical paths) with a Fabry-Pérot interferometer system that uses electromagnetic resonance between two parallel mirrors. The wavelength selection is achieved by electronically controlling the air gap width rather than through mechanical adjustment of optical components, enabling a more compact design
2Volume of moving object
If the optical path length is reduced for miniaturization, then device size decreases, but wavelength selection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes how wavelength selection is achieved by using the Fabry-Pérot interferometer's air gap width (d) as the controlling parameter. The relationship λ = 2d·n·cos(θ) allows precise wavelength selection through electronic control of d, eliminating the need for long optical paths while maintaining full wavelength selection capability across the desired spectral range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the air gap width in the Fabry-Pérot interferometer, allowing the wavelength selection to be changed rapidly and precisely by adjusting d. This dynamic parameter control provides flexible wavelength selection capability without the physical constraints of traditional spectrometer designs, enabling miniaturization while maintaining measurement 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 compact design of the analyzer device allows for convenient handling and use in narrow spaces while maintaining high-resolution spectral analysis capabilities, achieving effective elemental composition determination.
Implementation Method 1
a detector means for observing a selectable wavelength in the optical emission and for recording a detection signal that is descriptive of one or more characteristics of the optical emission at a selected wavelength
Implementation Method 2
A LIBS analyzer comprises, as the excitation means, a laser that is arranged to generate a high peak power laser pulse. The laser pulse is focused to the sample under study to form a plasma plume on a surface of the sample
Implementation Method 3
This causes light emission at wavelength(s) that are characteristic to elements on the surface of the sample. The light emission is received at the detector means, which then carries out an analysis based on the received optical emission from the sample to determine the elemental composition of the sample
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable analyzer for determining a composition of a sample is provided, the analyzer comprising an excitation means (210) for invoking an optical emission from a surface of the sample, a detector means (220) for observing a selectable wavelength in said optical emission and for recording a detection signal that is descriptive of at least one characteristic of said optical emission at a selected wavelength, an analysis means for determination of an elemental composition of the sample on the basis of one or more detection signals; and a control means for carrying out a spectral analysis by operating the excitation means to generate the optical emission for recording respective one or more detection signals at one or more predefined wavelengths, operating the detector means to record the respective one or more detection signals at said one or more predefined wavelengths, and operating the analysis means to determine the elemental composition of the sample on the basis of said recorded detection signals.