Reference Switch Architectures for Noncontact Substance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorption spectroscopy systems face challenges in accurately measuring low concentrations of substances due to issues with stray light, fluctuations, and variations in light sources and detectors, leading to erroneous measurements and limited ability to differentiate between different types of drift.
Innovation Solution
The system employs shared components between the light path for measuring sample optical properties and the reference optical properties, incorporates modulators to eliminate stray light, and uses a detector array and microoptics to map light properties to specific locations and depths within the sample, allowing for precise concentration and type determination of substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional absorption spectroscopy systems are used to measure substance concentration, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to stray light, fluctuations, and variations in light sources and detectors
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement process into multiple temporal phases (reference measurement phase and sample measurement phase) and spatial paths (reference light path and sample light path). By separating reference and sample measurements into distinct phases and using modulators to tag each path, the system achieves high measurement precision for low-concentration substances while managing complexity through structured segmentation of the optical system.
2Device complexity
If shared components are used between light paths, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to differentiate and compensate for stray light and fluctuations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces modulators as intermediary components in each light path that impose unique temporal or spatial signatures on light from different paths. These modulators act as mediators that enable the detection system to differentiate between reference and sample light, and to compensate for stray light and fluctuations, while allowing shared components to be used in both paths to reduce overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple locations within the sample are measured, then measurement versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to complicated components or detection schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a temporal dimension to spatial measurement by using modulators that encode different spatial locations with distinct temporal signatures. The detector array captures light from multiple sample locations simultaneously, and the modulation encoding allows the system to differentiate and process signals from each location independently, achieving multi-location measurement versatility without requiring complex sequential scanning or additional optical components.
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 approach enables accurate measurement of low-concentration substances by compensating for fluctuations and drift, differentiating between types of drift, and eliminating stray light, thereby improving measurement precision and sensitivity across various locations and depths within the sample.
Implementation Method 1
Absorption spectroscopy is an analytical technique that can be used to determine the concentration and type of substance in a sample at a sampling interface. Conventional systems and methods for absorption spectroscopy can include emitting light at the sample. As light transmits through the sample, a portion of the light energy can be absorbed at one or more wavelengths.
Implementation Method 2
The systems can be capable of eliminating erroneous measurements due to stray light with the placement of one or more modulators between the light source and the sample or reference
Data Source
AI summary
This relates to systems and methods for measuring a concentration and type of substance in a sample at a sampling interface. The systems can include a light source, optics, one or more modulators, a reference, a detector, and a controller. The systems and methods disclosed can be capable of accounting for drift originating from the light source, one or more optics, and the detector by sharing one or more components between different measurement light paths. Additionally, the systems can be capable of differentiating between different types of drift and eliminating erroneous measurements due to stray light with the placement of one or more modulators between the light source and the sample or reference. Furthermore, the systems can be capable of detecting the substance along various locations and depths within the sample by mapping a detector pixel and a microoptics to the location and depth in the sample.