Sensing Arrangement With Trench Isolation For LED Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensing devices face challenges with misalignments between light emitters and receivers, leading to inaccurate or false readouts, and require complex manufacturing processes, resulting in high costs and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A sensing arrangement where both the light emitter and receiver are LEDs formed on the same substrate, with a trench configured to intersect the Multi Quantum Wells (MQW) of the light emitter, minimizing direct light propagation to the receiver and isolating p-n junctions for precise alignment and manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If light emitter and receiver are separately manufactured and then assembled, then device integration is achieved, but alignment precision deteriorates leading to inaccurate readouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emitter and light receiver into a single integrated device structure, where both components are formed on the same substrate. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps that cause misalignment, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving device integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensing substance as an intermediary element positioned between the light emitter and light receiver. This intermediary enables the optical measurement function while the integrated structure ensures precise alignment between all components, resolving the contradiction between integration and alignment precision.
2Reliability
If macroscopic scale apparatus with removable cartridges are used, then sensing functionality is achieved, but device size and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (light emission, light detection, and sensing) into a single integrated device structure formed on one substrate. This eliminates the need for separate removable cartridges and macroscopic apparatus, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining sensing functionality.
3Measurement precision
If light intensity is increased to boost sensitivity, then measurement sensitivity improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of increasing light intensity with an optical path optimization approach. By integrating the light emitter and receiver on the same substrate with precise alignment, the system achieves high sensitivity through improved optical coupling efficiency rather than increased power consumption.
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 enables precise and accurate optical measurements by minimizing light deviations due to misalignment, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, while maintaining high sensitivity without increasing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter (11), configured for emitting a first light towards the sensing area (10); said light emitter comprising a first LED (110), formed on said first substrate surface (131)
Implementation Method 2
a light receiver (12), configured for receiving a second light from the sensing area (10); said light receiver comprising a second LED (120), formed on said first substrate surface (131)
Implementation Method 3
a trench (14), formed between said first LED (110) and said second LED (120)
Data Source
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AI summary
The sensing arrangement (1), comprising: - a sensing area (10), for accommodating a sensing substance (20) selected for experimenting an optical response as a response of an external stimulus; - a light emitter (11), for emitting light towards said sensing area (10); - a light receiver (12), for receiving a light from said sensing area (10); - a substrate (13) having a first substrate surface (131) and a second substrate surface (132); wherein, said light emitter (11) comprise a first LED (110) and said light receiver (12) comprise a second LED (120), both LEDs (110, 120) formed on said first substrate surface (131); and said sensing arrangement (1) further comprises a trench (14), formed between said first LED (110) and said second LED (120).