Single Semiconductor Optical Device for Photoluminescent Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical temperature measurement techniques face limitations in environments with strong electric and magnetic fields, where metal sensors are unreliable and prone to bias, and in high-voltage settings where they can cause dielectric breakdown, due to the separation of excitation and detection sources in photoluminescent decay methods.
Innovation Solution
A single semi-conductor optical device is used to both excite and detect photoluminescent light via optical fibers, combining photo-emission and photo-detection functions within a single active region, allowing for temperature measurement using temperature-dependent photoluminescent properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate excitation and detection sources are used in photoluminescent decay methods, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases in strong electromagnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate excitation and detection optical devices into a single integrated optical device that performs both functions. The single device includes an excitation source that emits light at a first wavelength and a photodetector that detects photoluminescent light at a second wavelength, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and reducing complexity while maintaining measurement precision in electromagnetic field environments
Solution Approach 2:
The single optical device is designed to perform multiple functions - it serves as both the excitation source and the photodetector. This multi-functional design allows the device to emit excitation light and simultaneously detect the resulting photoluminescent signal, reducing the overall number of components needed in the temperature sensing system
2Reliability
If metal sensors are used in high voltage environments, then temperature measurement can be performed, but safety risks increase due to dielectric breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metal-based temperature sensing with an optical sensing system that uses photoluminescent materials and optical detection. This substitution eliminates metal conductors from the sensing element, removing the risk of dielectric breakdown in high voltage environments while maintaining temperature measurement capability through optical methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium to transmit light between the excitation source and photodetector, and between the sensor and readout device. This optical intermediary allows temperature measurement in high voltage environments without requiring electrical connections, eliminating the safety hazard of dielectric breakdown while maintaining measurement functionality
3Device complexity
If a single optical device is used for both excitation and detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single optical device is designed with different functional regions - an excitation source region that emits light at a specific first wavelength and a photodetector region that detects light at a different second wavelength. This local differentiation of functions within the single device allows it to perform both excitation and detection while maintaining measurement precision through wavelength-specific optimization
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 integrated approach provides accurate temperature measurements in challenging environments by eliminating the need for separate excitation and detection sources, reducing bias and ensuring safety from dielectric breakdown, while maintaining the advantages of photoluminescent decay methods.
Implementation Method 1
the photoluminescent material is excited to luminescence by sending excitation radiation of one wavelength to the sensor, and the resulting light emitted through photoluminescence (the photoluminescent light) at a different wavelength is photo-detected
Implementation Method 2
the resulting light emitted through photoluminescence (the photoluminescent light) at a different wavelength is photo-detected
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
A photoluminescent temperature sensing device and method utilizing a semi-conductor optical device adapted to operate as both a light-emitting device and a light detection device. The optical device emits a pulse of incident light, producing photoluminescent light that is received at the optical device. Signal information associated with a temperature-dependent characteristic of the photoluminescent light is created and temperature information if obtained from the signal information.