Hermetic Raman Probe Interface for Calibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Raman probes face calibration challenges due to sensitivity of standard reference materials to air, moisture, and contamination, leading to potential corrosion and calibration errors.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed standard reference material enclosure is designed for attachment to a Raman probe, featuring a housing with an optical port and a laser absorber, filled with an inert gas or vacuum to maintain a constant environment and reduce degradation, ensuring accurate calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard reference materials are exposed to air and moisture for calibration, then calibration can be performed, but the reference materials are susceptible to corrosion and contamination leading to calibration errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by filling the sealed enclosure with inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon) to create a protective environment around the standard reference material. This inert gas displaces oxygen and moisture, preventing corrosion and contamination of the reference material while allowing optical access for Raman calibration. The enclosure maintains this inert environment throughout the calibration process, ensuring measurement precision without exposure to harmful atmospheric components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If standard reference materials are sealed in hermetic enclosures to protect from environmental factors, then protection from corrosion is improved, but optical access for calibration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary approach by introducing a sealed enclosure with optical windows that acts as a mediator between the protected reference material and the external calibration system. The enclosure walls with optical access points allow laser light to enter and interact with the reference material while maintaining the hermetic seal. This intermediary structure enables both protection from environmental factors and optical detection without direct exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed enclosure is filled with inert gas to maintain a protective atmosphere while allowing optical transmission. The inert atmosphere prevents corrosion of the reference material during storage and calibration, and the enclosure design with optical windows enables Raman spectroscopy calibration to proceed without compromising the protective environment.
3Ease of operation
If standard reference materials are stored in open containers for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of calibration decreases due to environmental sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by providing a sealed enclosure that maintains an inert atmosphere environment, ensuring reliable and consistent calibration results. The enclosure is designed to be attachable to the Raman probe, allowing for straightforward operation while protecting the reference material from environmental factors that would compromise calibration reliability.
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 reliable and consistent calibration method for Raman probes by protecting sensitive standard reference materials from environmental contaminants, enhancing measurement accuracy and reducing calibration errors.
Implementation Method 1
a hermetically sealed standard reference material enclosure positioned at the second end of the housing and enclosing a standard reference material
Implementation Method 2
An optical port is positioned within the housing between the Raman probe and the standard reference material relative to the central axis. The optical port includes a window as part of the hermetic seal of the hermetically sealed standard reference material enclosure.
Implementation Method 3
Raman spectroscopy is a form of vibrational spectroscopy based on the Raman effect, which is the alteration of the frequency and phase of light as it passes through a transparent medium
Data Source
AI summary
A standard reference material interface for a Raman probe includes a locator including a housing having a first end and a second end, the first end including an attachment portion configured to mate with an attachment portion of the Raman probe. The locator defines a central axis that intersects the first end and the second end. The standard reference material interface also includes a hermetically sealed standard reference material enclosure positioned at the second end of the housing and enclosing a standard reference material. An optical port is positioned within the housing between the Raman probe and the standard reference material relative to the central axis. The optical port includes a window.