Spectral Device Zeroth-Order Light Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectral devices in fluorescent microscopes face challenges in achieving high detection efficiency due to the feeble nature of fluorescence, with existing techniques limited in reusing zeroth-order diffracted light and requiring complex configurations to adjust the angle of incidence for optimal diffraction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating corner cubes as deflection devices to invert and redirect zeroth-order and primary-order diffracted light, allowing for re-diffraction and alignment of diffracted light paths to enhance detection efficiency without complicating the device configuration, while enabling free rotation of the diffraction grating to adjust the angle of incidence for optimal wavelength detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a diffraction grating with high primary diffraction efficiency is adopted, then detection efficiency is improved, but zeroth-order diffracted light is lost and cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the zeroth-order diffracted light that would otherwise be discarded by using a mirror to reflect it back onto the diffraction grating for re-diffraction. This allows the light to be utilized again, improving overall detection efficiency without requiring a completely new optical path design
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing a circulating optical path where zeroth-order light is continuously reflected back and re-diffracted, the system maintains continuous useful action of the light rather than allowing it to terminate after a single pass through the grating
2Measurement precision
If the diffraction grating is rotated to adjust the angle of incidence for optimal wavelength detection, then detection efficiency for specific wavelengths is improved, but alignment of diffracted light paths becomes misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror serves multiple functions: it reflects zeroth-order light back onto the grating, and simultaneously acts as a reference that maintains proper optical path alignment regardless of grating rotation angle. This multi-functionality resolves the conflict between wavelength optimization and alignment stability
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the detector, mediating the optical path in a way that allows grating rotation for wavelength selection while maintaining proper alignment through the mirror's fixed position and reflection geometry
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 significantly improves detection efficiency from 50% to up to 90% by re-diffracting zeroth-order light, allowing for efficient detection of requested wavelengths without excessive complexity, and maintains alignment regardless of the diffraction grating's rotation, facilitating the detection of weak fluorescence signals.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction element which disperses light for each wavelength
Implementation Method 2
an optical condensing system which condenses diffracted light of a specific order
Data Source
AI summary
Spectral device includes: diffraction element which disperses light for each wavelength; optical condensing system which condenses diffracted light of specific order generated by diffraction in the diffraction element; photo-detector arranged at position where the diffracted light of the specific order is condensed by the optical condensing system; first deflection device which inverts the direction of travel of second light as zeroth-order diffracted light generated by diffraction of first light which has entered the diffraction element as parallel luminous flux, and leads the second light into the diffraction element; and second deflection device which deflects the diffracted light of the specific order generated by diffraction of the second light which has entered the diffraction element in the same direction as the diffracted light of the specific order generated by the diffraction of the first light, and leads the deflected light into the optical condensing system.