Rounded Optical Concentrator for Spectrometer Light Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometer devices for infrared (IR) spectral region, particularly near-infrared (NIR), face challenges with low light throughput and poor signal-to-noise ratio due to the use of baffles and optical concentrators with conical shapes, which result in low concentration efficiency and increased reflection losses.
Innovation Solution
A spectrometer device featuring an optical concentrator with a single rounded sidewall operated in reverse direction, designed to reduce angular spread and increase concentration efficiency by reflecting incident light onto a linearly variable filter, thereby enhancing light transmission and reducing reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a baffle is used to make incident light impinge the LVF normally, then the alignment is improved, but the light throughput decreases and signal-to-noise ratio worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the baffle component from the optical path entirely. Instead of using a baffle to control light direction, the system relies on the natural geometry of the optical concentrator and the LVF positioning to achieve proper light incidence, thereby eliminating the light losses associated with baffle usage while maintaining alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by positioning the LVF to receive light at an oblique angle rather than attempting to make light impinge normally through baffles. This inversion allows direct coupling with the optical concentrator output, maximizing light throughput while achieving sufficient spectral resolution
2Productivity
If an optical concentrator with conical shape is used, then the concentration ratio is improved, but the reflection losses increase and concentration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conical shape with a curved profile optical concentrator design. The curved surfaces are optimized to minimize Fresnel reflection losses while maintaining high concentration capability. This curvature-based design follows optical principles that reduce abrupt refraction angles and associated reflection losses compared to sharp conical geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the refractive index parameters of the optical concentrator materials and adjusts the geometric parameters of the curved profile to maximize concentration efficiency. By carefully selecting and tuning these parameters, the system achieves high concentration ratios while minimizing reflection losses through optimized optical path design
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 improves light concentration efficiency and signal quality by ensuring incident light impinges on the filter with reduced angular spread, resulting in higher transmission and better signal-to-noise ratios, enabling more accurate spectral analysis in the NIR and mid-IR ranges.
Implementation Method 1
the optical concentrator device has a single sidewall which is adapted for reflecting incident light
Implementation Method 2
the linearly variable filter (LVF) is designated for separating light captured from an object into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals
Data Source
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AI summary
A spectrometer system (110) and a spectrometer device (112) are disclosed, which are suited for investigation or monitoring purposes, in particular, in the infrared (IR) spectral region, and for a detection of heat, flames, fire, or smoke. Herein, the spectrometer device (112) comprises - an optical element (122) designed for receiving incident light (114) from an object (116) and transferring the incident light (114) to a length variable filter (118), wherein the optical element (122) comprises an optical concentrator device (124), wherein the optical concentrator device (124) is operated in reverse direction (126), wherein the optical concentrator device (124) has a single sidewall (128) which is adapted for reflecting incident light, wherein the single sidewall (128) is designed as a rounded sidewall; - the length variable filter (118) which is designated for separating the incident light (114) into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals; and - a detector array (120) comprising a plurality of pixelated sensors (144), wherein each of the pixelated sensors (144) is adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the constituent wavelength signals, wherein each of the constituent wavelength signals is related to an intensity of each constituent wavelength. The spectrometer device (112) allows capturing incident light (114) from the object (116) and transferring the incident light (114) to the length variable filter (118) with a particularly high concentration efficiency. Apart from the spectrometer device (112), the spectrometer system (110) further comprises an evaluation unit (150) designated for determining information related to a spectrum of an object (116) by evaluating the detector signals (204, 204', 204") provided by the spectrometer device (112).