Serial Light Guide Photometer for Small Liquid Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for spectrophotometric analysis of small liquid samples face challenges with impurities on optical surfaces and light intensity fluctuations, which affect measurement accuracy, and require complex setups like two-beam photometry for compensation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a single light path that allows simultaneous recording of intrinsic reference spectra with one light beam, enabling the analysis of multiple samples with simpler calibration and structure, using a combination of a measuring cell and a cuvette holder in the same light path, with optical components like mirrors and optical fibers for alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-beam photometer is used to compensate for light intensity fluctuations and impurities on optical surfaces, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple optical components and beam paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reference measurement and sample measurement into a single light path, eliminating the need for separate beam paths, beam splitters, and choppers. The single light beam sequentially passes through reference and sample cells, merging functions that traditionally required dual beam paths, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy through synchronous reference measurement
2Productivity
If multiple light paths are used for simultaneous analysis of multiple samples, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by rapidly alternating the light beam between reference and sample measurements within a single light path. This sequential periodic switching enables simultaneous analysis of multiple samples with synchronous reference measurement, achieving high productivity without requiring multiple parallel light paths, thus avoiding increased device complexity and space requirements
3Device complexity
If a single light path is used for both reference and sample measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to inability to compensate for intensity fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing reference measurement immediately before each sample measurement in the same light path. This synchronous reference measurement compensates for light intensity fluctuations and impurities on optical surfaces that occur between measurements, maintaining measurement precision without requiring complex dual-beam compensation mechanisms
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 simplifies the analysis by minimizing signal background interference and intensity fluctuations, allowing for precise and reproducible measurements of small sample volumes without the need for complex optical components, and enables simultaneous analysis of multiple samples with reduced space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for generating and emitting light along a single light path
Implementation Method 2
a detector for detecting the light coming from the sample holders along the light path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10, 10') for the light-spectroscopic analysis of one or more liquid samples, comprising a light source (11) for generating and emitting light along a single light path (100), comprising a first sample holder (12) having a receptacle point (20) for the smallest quantities of a first sample, which is arranged in the light path (100) such that light radiates through the first liquid sample, comprising a second sample holder (13) for a second sample, which is arranged in the light path (100) such that light radiates through the second liquid sample, and comprising a detector (14) for detecting the light coming from the sample holders (12, 13).