Spectrometer Aperture Geometry Using Subaperture Beam Path Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aperture geometries in spectrometers are not optimally suited to the beam path, limiting the utilization of aperture diaphragms' advantages in reducing image defects and optimizing geometric light throughput.

Innovation Solution

An optical model is used to describe the beam path, incorporating quality functions to calculate quality measures for subapertures, allowing for the adaptation of aperture geometry to enhance spectrometer performance by selecting subapertures that minimize image defects and optimize light throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional aperture geometries (circular, elliptical, rectangular) are used, then the aperture diaphragm can be easily manufactured and positioned, but the beam path quality and image defects cannot be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaperture geometry conformanceVSAvoidbeam path quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture geometry is segmented into multiple subapertures, each contributing differently to the beam path quality. The method divides the aperture area into discrete subapertures and selectively combines them based on quality measures, allowing optimization of beam path while maintaining manufacturable geometries through standardized subaperture units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the aperture are assigned different quality weights based on their contribution to beam path quality. The method calculates quality measures for individual subapertures and selectively activates only those that meet quality criteria, creating a non-uniform aperture geometry where specific local regions are emphasized or excluded based on their optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the aperture geometry is optimized for beam path quality, then image defects are reduced, but the aperture design becomes complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidaperture fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex optimized aperture geometry is segmented into multiple subapertures that can be individually manufactured and then combined. This allows the final complex geometry to be built from simpler, manufacturable components, reducing fabrication difficulty while maintaining the optimized beam path quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture geometry is made dynamically adjustable by selectively activating or deactivating individual subapertures. This allows the aperture to be reconfigured for different measurement scenarios, providing flexibility without requiring multiple fixed aperture components, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a fixed aperture geometry is used, then the device structure is simple, but the spectrometer cannot adapt to different measurement scenarios and beam paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaperture structureVSAvoidmeasurement scenario flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture geometry is made dynamically configurable by selectively activating individual subapertures based on measurement requirements. This allows the same physical aperture structure to adapt to different beam paths and measurement scenarios without requiring multiple fixed aperture components, thus maintaining structural simplicity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture diaphragm with multiple subapertures serves multiple functions: it can be configured for different beam paths, optimized for various measurement scenarios, and adapted to different spectrometer setups. This single multi-functional aperture replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized aperture components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260016334A1Method for adapting an aperture geometry of an aperture of an aperture diaphragm to a beam path of light beams in a spectrometer

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 ANALYTIK JENA GMBHCO KG

AI summary

A method for adapting an aperture geometry of an aperture of an aperture diaphragm to a beam path of light beams in a spectrometer, wherein the spectrometer comprises the aperture diaphragm, a plurality of optical components and a detector, includes providing an optical model that describes the beam path and comprises the optical components as well as their positions and orientations, establishing a quality function that describes at least one quality criterion of the beam path, wherein the quality function calculates a quality measure based on the optical model, providing a position of the aperture diaphragm and a maximum area of the aperture in the optical model, wherein the maximum area is composed of a plurality of subapertures, calculating a quality measure for each subaperture by means of the quality function, and determining the aperture geometry based on the quality measures of the subapertures.