Reflective Diffuser Optical Head for Light Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical heads in miniaturized optical systems, such as spectrometers and lux meters, are inefficient in collecting and transmitting incident light, leading to reduced sensitivity and accuracy due to the limitations of cosine correctors in handling light rays at different angles.
Innovation Solution
The optical head incorporates a reflective diffuser and a reflector with a transmissive cosine corrector or a reflective diffuser, which converts incident light into a Lambertian pattern, allowing for uniform scattering and increased light collection through a light collector, with the reflector recycling scattered light to enhance the amount entering the optical output section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cosine corrector is used in the optical head, then the transmittance for light rays incident at different angles is substantially the same, but the amount of incident light transmitted to the light detector is not effectively increased
Solution Approach 1:
The optical head is divided into multiple functional components: a cosine corrector for angular correction, a reflective diffuser for light scattering, and a reflector for light redirection. Each component performs a specific function to collectively increase light transmission while maintaining angular consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
A reflective diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the cosine corrector and the light detector. This diffuser scatters light in a Lambertian pattern and works with a reflector to redirect light rays, effectively increasing the amount of light reaching the detector while maintaining consistent transmittance characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical system is miniaturized for portable use, then the system can be used outside the laboratory, but the light collection efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a three-dimensional reflective diffuser structure that scatters light in multiple directions (Lambertian pattern). This spatial dimensionality allows the compact optical head to capture and redirect light rays from various angles, effectively increasing light collection efficiency within a miniaturized form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector is positioned to continuously redirect scattered light rays toward the light detector. This continuous light redirection ensures that maximum light reaches the detector throughout operation, maintaining high collection efficiency in the portable device.
3Device complexity
If conventional optical heads are used, then the structure is simple, but the sensitivity and accuracy of the optical system are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different components of the optical head are assigned specialized functions: the cosine corrector handles angular dependency, the reflective diffuser creates uniform Lambertian scattering, and the reflector redirects light to the detector. This local optimization of each component's quality and function collectively enhances measurement precision while maintaining overall structural efficiency.
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 design significantly increases the amount of incident light collected, providing more uniform and accurate measurement results by ensuring consistent reflectance and transmittance regardless of incident angles, thereby enhancing the sensitivity and accuracy of the optical system.
Implementation Method 1
The incident light may be converted to a scattered light in a Lambertian pattern after incident on the reflective scattering section such that light rays incident on the reflective diffuser at different angles may have substantially the same reflectance
Implementation Method 2
The scattered light may be incident on the reflector, and/or other portions of the reflective scattering section
Data Source
AI summary
An optical head for receiving an incident light is provided. The optical head comprises a reflective diffuser and a reflector disposed to face the reflective diffuser. The reflective diffuser is disposed in an optical path of the incident light and shields the reflector from the incident light. The reflective diffuser converts the incident light to scattered light having a Lambertian pattern. The reflector has an optical output section that transmits the scattered light and a reflective section that reflects the scattered light to the reflective diffuser and/or the other portions of the reflective sections. An optical system using the optical head is also provided.