Prism Member for Terahertz Spectroscopy with Liquid-Filled Depression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measurement accuracy of terahertz waves transmitted through objects is compromised by air moisture absorption and reflection losses at interfaces in existing spectrometry methods, which are influenced by the object's shape and placement.
Innovation Solution
A prism member with a depression filled with a non-dissolving, non-absorbing liquid is used, featuring refractive surfaces to collimate or condense terahertz waves, reducing air interaction and reflection losses, and including support structures for stable object positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the terahertz wave passes through air to reach the object, then the measurement can be performed with simple setup, but the measurement accuracy decreases due to absorption by moisture in the air and reflection loss at the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid medium as an intermediary substance to replace air between the terahertz wave source and the object. This liquid medium serves as a mediator that eliminates the harmful air-terahertz wave interactions (moisture absorption and interface reflection) while maintaining the simplicity of the measurement setup. The liquid is specifically chosen to be transparent to terahertz waves and have appropriate refractive index to minimize reflection losses.
2Device complexity
If the object is placed in a conventional setup without liquid filling, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement accuracy is compromised by air-related absorption and reflection losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the medium between the terahertz wave and the object from air to a specific liquid. This parameter change (medium substitution) fundamentally alters the interaction characteristics, eliminating moisture absorption and reducing reflection losses. The liquid is selected with specific properties (terahertz transparency, refractive index) to optimize the measurement accuracy while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the terahertz wave is transmitted through the object as collimated or condensed light, then the measurement can be more precise, but the influence of air absorption and reflection loss cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid medium acts as an intermediary that surrounds the object and eliminates the air-terahertz wave interfaces. By filling the space between the terahertz wave path and the object with this liquid, the patent removes the harmful factors (moisture absorption and reflection loss) that would otherwise affect the collimated or condensed terahertz wave transmission, thereby enabling high-precision measurements.
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 configuration enhances measurement accuracy by minimizing air-related absorption and reflection losses, ensuring accurate spectrometry regardless of the object's shape and form, while maintaining convenience in measurement setup.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical surface for collimating or condensing the terahertz wave incident thereon from the entrance surface toward the arrangement part
Implementation Method 2
a first optical surface for collimating or condensing the terahertz wave incident thereon from the entrance surface toward the arrangement part
Implementation Method 3
a second optical surface for condensing the terahertz wave transmitted through the arrangement part toward the exit surface
Implementation Method 4
The depression may include a first refractive surface for refracting the terahertz wave from the first optical surface toward the object and a second refractive surface for refracting the terahertz wave transmitted through the object toward the second optical surface
Data Source
AI summary
A prism member having an entrance surface for arranging a terahertz-wave generator for generating a terahertz wave in response to pump light incident thereon, an arrangement part for arranging an object to be measured, an exit surface for arranging a terahertz-wave detector for detecting a correlation between the terahertz wave transmitted through the object in the arrangement part and probe light, a first optical surface for collimating or condensing the terahertz wave incident thereon from the entrance surface toward the arrangement part, and a second optical surface for condensing the terahertz wave transmitted through the arrangement part toward the exit surface, the arrangement part forms a depression adapted to be filled with a liquid incapable of dissolving the object therein.