Semiconductor Light Source Multipixel Spectral Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers are expensive, large, and have limited spectral resolution, especially in the near-infrared range, due to silicon-based detectors that are sensitive only up to 1.1 μm, making them inadequate for portable devices and requiring complex spectral filtering, which increases costs and size.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor light source with multipixel chips and color setting means, such as phosphor layers and color filters, generates spectrally narrowband individual spectra, shifting spectral resolution to the light source and allowing the use of cost-effective single-channel photodiodes, enabling miniaturization and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional silicon-based detectors are used in spectrometers, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the spectral resolution is limited and wavelength range is restricted to below 1.1 μm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional detector-based spectral resolution approach with a light source-based spectral resolution approach. Instead of using complex silicon-based detectors with spectral filtering, the invention uses a semiconductor light source with multiple emission regions that directly generate spectrally resolved light. This substitution shifts the spectral resolution function from the detector side to the light source side, enabling access to wavelength ranges above 1.1 μm while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of spectral resolution from being a detector property to being a light source property. By configuring the semiconductor light source with multiple emission regions having different spectral characteristics, the system achieves spectral resolution without requiring complex detector arrangements. This parameter change enables the use of simpler detectors while maintaining or improving spectral resolution.
2Measurement precision
If complex spectral filtering is implemented to achieve high spectral resolution, then measurement precision improves, but device size and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex optical filtering systems with a semiconductor light source that inherently provides spectral resolution through its multipixel chip structure. Instead of adding expensive filters, gratings, or prisms to achieve spectral resolution, the invention integrates spectral differentiation directly into the light source architecture, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high spectral resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spectral resolution function from the traditional optical path components (filters, gratings, detectors) and relocates it to the light source. By taking out the spectral filtering requirement from the system design, the invention eliminates the need for complex and expensive optical components, achieving high spectral resolution through the semiconductor light source's inherent multipixel structure.
3Measurement precision
If conventional spectrometers are designed for high spectral resolution, then measurement accuracy improves, but device size increases making them unsuitable for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spectral resolution function with the light source by integrating multiple emission regions with different spectral characteristics into a single semiconductor light source device. This merging eliminates the need for separate spectral filtering components and complex optical paths, enabling high spectral resolution to be achieved in a compact form factor suitable for portable applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical spectral resolution systems (gratings, prisms, movable filters) with a solid-state semiconductor light source that provides spectral differentiation through its multipixel chip structure. This substitution eliminates moving parts and complex optical components, dramatically reducing the spectrometer size while maintaining high spectral resolution for portable use.
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 a cost-effective, miniaturized spectrometer with high spectral resolution and reduced detector complexity, allowing access to wavelength ranges above 1.1 μm, improving analysis accuracy in fields like foodstuffs and medicaments without significant increases in system costs.
Implementation Method 1
The multipixel chip comprises a plurality of mutually independently drivable emission regions. In this case, each emission region is configured for generating radiation.
Implementation Method 2
The color setting means is configured for altering a spectral emission behavior of the assigned emission regions. In other words, a spectrum, as generated in the emission regions of the multipixel chip, is altered by the color setting means, for example by wavelength conversion and/or spectral filtering
Implementation Method 3
The at least one color setting means is disposed optically downstream of some or all of the emission regions
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor light source configured for a spectrometer may include at least one multipixel chip, at least one color setting component disposed optically downstream of at least one of emission region, and a drive unit. The color setting component may be configured for altering a spectral emission behavior of assigned emission regions. The drive unit may be configured to operate a plurality of mutually independently drivable emission regions successively, such that during operation thereof at least three spectrally narrowband individual spectra are emitted successively by the plurality of mutually independently drivable emission regions together with the associated color setting component from which individual spectra a total spectrum emitted by the semiconductor light source is constituted.