Solid Optical Target with Embedded Fluorescing Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical targets for calibration and alignment in optical systems face challenges due to fluidic complexity and the need for precise handling to avoid air bubbles, particularly when changing liquid dyes, which complicates accurate calibration and validation.
Innovation Solution
An optical target system utilizing a solid host material with embedded fluorescing material, which includes a predetermined phonon energy and specific energy level ratios, allowing for precise fluorescence emission without the need for liquid dyes and reducing fluidic complexity, enabling accurate calibration and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid dyes with fluorescing properties are used in optical targets, then fluorescence emission can be achieved, but fluidic complexity increases and air bubbles may be introduced during dye replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the fluorescing material from liquid to solid form. The solid host material incorporates fluorescing dopants (such as rare-earth ions) directly into its crystal lattice structure, eliminating the need for liquid dye reservoirs, channels, and pumping systems while maintaining stable fluorescence emission properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the fluidic components (liquid dye, channels, inlet/outlet ports, pumping systems) from the optical target system. The fluorescing function is achieved solely through the solid host material doped with fluorescing materials, completely eliminating fluidic complexity and associated reliability issues.
2Reliability
If liquid dyes are used in optical targets, then fluorescence emission can be achieved, but air bubbles may be introduced during dye replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the fluorescing material from liquid to solid form embedded in a host material, the patent eliminates the need for dye replacement operations entirely. The solid dopants are permanently fixed in the crystal lattice, preventing air bubble introduction and ensuring consistent fluorescence emission for accurate calibration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If channels and inlet/outlet ports are added to optical targets, then liquid dye replacement is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the form and integration method of the fluorescing material. Instead of using replaceable liquid dyes requiring complex fluidic infrastructure, the fluorescing materials are incorporated as solid dopants during host material fabrication, achieving both simplicity and functional versatility.
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 solid host material with embedded fluorescing material provides stable and accurate fluorescence emission, simplifying calibration and alignment processes, reducing the risk of air bubbles, and extending the system's shelf life, while eliminating the need for custom in-house processes.
Implementation Method 1
The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest (FEWI)
Implementation Method 2
The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.