Speckle-Based Spectrometer for High Resolution in Small Form Factors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spectrometers face challenges in achieving ultra-small form factors while maintaining high resolution due to the required free distance between optical elements and light-receiving sensors, leading to increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasensitive spectrometer utilizing a scattering medium that forms a random speckle pattern on a light-receiving sensor, combined with a signal processing unit applying compressive sensing algorithms, to restore spectral information, where speckle sizes are larger than sensor pixels, and the scattering medium is designed with specific characteristics to achieve high spectral resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional optical elements and light-receiving sensors are used with required free distance, then spectral resolution is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical optical elements (diffraction gratings, prisms, interferometers) with a scattering medium that forms random speckle patterns. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical alignment and large free distances, achieving high spectral resolution in a compact form factor through computational processing of speckle patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light-matter interaction from ordered optical path manipulation to random scattering with computational reconstruction. By controlling scattering characteristics and using compressive sensing algorithms, the system achieves high spectral resolution without requiring the traditional free distance between optical elements and sensors
2Measurement precision
If scattering medium with large speckle size is used, then spectral resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spectral analysis function from complex optical path manipulation and concentrates it in a simple scattering medium followed by computational processing. The scattering medium itself is structurally simple (randomly distributed particles), but the computational algorithm recovers spectral information from the resulting speckle patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a scattering medium as an intermediary that transforms incident light into random speckle patterns. This intermediary element is structurally simple but functionally powerful, enabling spectral resolution through the combination of scattering physics and computational reconstruction algorithms
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 ultra-small form factors with spectral resolutions of 0.1 nm or less, effectively addressing the size and resolution challenges of traditional spectrometers.
Implementation Method 1
a scattering medium configured to scatter incident analyzing light to form a random speckle pattern that sensitively changes according to wavelength variations
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ultrasensitive spectrometer. The ultrasensitive spectrometer includes a scattering medium, a light-receiving sensor disposed at a rear end of the scattering medium, a storage unit storing previously predicted speckle pattern information according to wavelengths with respect to the scattering medium, and a signal processing unit configured to process a sensing signal generated by the light-receiving sensor. The scattering medium scatters incident analyzing light to form a random speckle pattern, and the light-receiving sensor senses the speckle pattern formed by the scattering medium. The signal processing unit restores spectrum information of the analyzing light from sensing information sensed of the speckle pattern formed by the scattering medium.