Single Diffraction Grating Spectroscopic Detector Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spectroscopic detectors use two diffraction gratings, increasing costs and system size due to high manufacturing precision requirements and the number of optical elements.

Innovation Solution

A spectroscopic detector design utilizing a single diffraction grating for both excitation and detection optical systems, with a grating driver and photodetector alignment to prevent stray light and allow wavelength adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two diffraction gratings are used in the spectroscopic detector, then the light dispersion and detection capabilities are maintained, but the cost and system size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight dispersion and detection capabilitiesVSAvoidnumber of diffraction gratings

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single diffraction grating is designed to perform both excitation light dispersion and observation light dispersion functions. By carefully designing the optical paths and using wavelength-selective components, the same grating is utilized for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate gratings and reducing system complexity while maintaining analytical capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the excitation optical system and detection optical system into a single integrated system sharing a common diffraction grating. The excitation light path and observation light path are merged through the same grating component, reducing the total number of optical elements and simplifying the overall detector structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If two diffraction gratings are used in the spectroscopic detector, then the light dispersion and detection capabilities are maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight dispersion and detection capabilitiesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The single diffraction grating is designed to perform both excitation light dispersion and observation light dispersion functions. By carefully designing the optical paths and using wavelength-selective components, the same grating is utilized for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate gratings and reducing system complexity while maintaining analytical capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the excitation optical system and detection optical system into a single integrated system sharing a common diffraction grating. The excitation light path and observation light path are merged through the same grating component, reducing the total number of optical elements and simplifying the overall detector structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If two diffraction gratings are used in the spectroscopic detector, then the light dispersion and detection capabilities are maintained, but the system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight dispersion and detection capabilitiesVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The single diffraction grating is designed to perform both excitation light dispersion and observation light dispersion functions. By carefully designing the optical paths and using wavelength-selective components, the same grating is utilized for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate gratings and reducing system complexity while maintaining analytical capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the excitation optical system and detection optical system into a single integrated system sharing a common diffraction grating. The excitation light path and observation light path are merged through the same grating component, reducing the total number of optical elements and simplifying the overall detector structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration reduces costs and downsizes the detector while maintaining effective light dispersion and detection capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a diffraction grating for dispersing the light from the light source into a spectrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

a photodetector for detecting the observation light dispersed by the detection optical system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9891104B2Spectroscopic detector

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

Provided is a spectroscopic detector including: a light source for generating polychromatic light 11; a single diffraction grating 13; an excitation optical system for guiding the light from the light source 11 onto the diffraction grating 13, for selecting one wavelength from the light diffracted by the diffraction grating 13, and for casting the selected wavelength of light into a sample as excitation light; a detection optical system for guiding observation light emitted from the sample irradiated with the excitation light onto the diffraction grating 13 to disperse the observation light; and a photodetector 15 for detecting the observation light dispersed by the detection optical system. By using one diffraction grating 13 in both the excitation optical system and the detection optical system, the number of diffraction gratings is reduced, whereby both the cost reduction and the downsizing of the device are achieved.