Relay Lightpipe for Remote Spectrometer Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable optical spectrometers face challenges in safely obtaining spectra from samples that are chemically aggressive, extremely hot or cold, or bio-hazardous, as direct contact can damage the device or pose health risks, and traditional remote collection methods require precise alignment and are prone to calibration issues and fiber damage.
Innovation Solution
A relay lightpipe made of transparent material is used to conduct illuminating light to the sample and collect reflected light back to the spectrometer, allowing for safe distance measurement and reducing the need for precise alignment, with the lightpipe's design enabling unconstrained propagation of light and overlapping optical paths for both illuminating and reflected light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct contact between spectrometer and sample is used, then spectral measurement can be obtained quickly, but the spectrometer may be damaged by chemically aggressive, hot, or cold samples
Solution Approach 1:
A relay lightpipe is introduced as an intermediary component between the spectrometer and the sample. The lightpipe conducts illuminating light to the sample and collects reflected light back to the spectrometer, enabling remote spectral measurement without direct contact between the spectrometer and hazardous samples, thus protecting the device while maintaining measurement capability
2Reliability
If optical fibers are used for remote light transmission, then safe distance measurement is enabled, but precision optical alignment is required and fiber tips may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The relay lightpipe is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that can be easily exchanged if damaged. This eliminates the need for precision alignment and protects the main spectrometer device from damage by aggressive samples, as the lightpipe can be replaced without affecting the expensive and sensitive spectrometer electronics
Solution Approach 2:
The relay lightpipe serves as a robust intermediary that transmits light between the spectrometer and sample without requiring precision alignment. Its design allows for flexible positioning and eliminates the need for delicate optical coupling, making it easier to operate while maintaining device protection
3Reliability
If optical fibers are used for light collection, then remote measurement is achieved, but transmission depends on bend radius requiring re-calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The relay lightpipe is designed to maintain stable optical transmission regardless of bending radius. This eliminates the need for re-calibration when the lightpipe is repositioned or bent, ensuring measurement precision and reliability while protecting the device from sample contact
4Reliability
If free-space collection system is used, then remote measurement is enabled, but pre-defined distance placement is required which is inconvenient for handheld use
Solution Approach 1:
The relay lightpipe acts as a flexible intermediary that enables remote measurement while allowing the spectrometer to be held close to the sample. The lightpipe can be positioned at various distances and angles, providing handheld convenience without requiring precise pre-defined placement, thus combining device protection with operational flexibility
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
Enables safe and reliable spectral data collection from a distance, maintaining the integrity of the spectrometer and reducing the risk of damage, while providing robust and repeatable measurements even with temperature-sensitive samples.
Implementation Method 1
A relay lightpipe may include a slab of a transparent material for unconstrained propagation of light in bulk of the material
Implementation Method 2
the reflected light may be guided by the relay lightpipe towards the spectrometer, so that optical paths of the illuminating light and the reflected light may overlap in the relay lightpipe
Data Source
AI summary
A lightpipe is coupled to a spectrometer based on a laterally variable optical filter. The lightpipe may be used for both guiding the illuminating light towards a sample and collecting light reflected or emitted by the sample upon illumination, for spectral measurements at a distance from the sample afforded by the lightpipe. The lightpipe may include a slab of homogeneous transparent material for unconstrained bidirectional propagation of light in bulk of the material. The lightpipe may be solid, hollow, or sectioned for separated guiding of the illuminating and the reflected light.