Spectrometer Auxiliary Sensor Correction for Measurement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers face challenges in achieving highly accurate measurements due to changes in light receiving sensor accuracy and optical system component transmittance caused by environmental conditions and time degradation, which are not adequately addressed by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A spectrometer design that incorporates at least one auxiliary sensor in the optical path to correct the output value of the main sensor based on the auxiliary sensor's output, ensuring accurate light intensity calculation and compensating for changes in sensor accuracy and optical system transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light receiving sensor is used to measure light intensity, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates over time due to sensor accuracy changes and optical component transmittance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the auxiliary sensor continuously monitors the light intensity at the entrance unit, and the correction unit uses this information to adjust and correct the main sensor's output values. This feedback loop compensates for drift in sensor accuracy and optical component transmittance, maintaining measurement precision over time without requiring physical replacement or recalibration of the sensors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical system components (ND filter, infrared cut filter, etc.) are inserted into the optical path, then measurement capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to transmittance changes from environmental conditions and time degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary sensor acts as an intermediary that indirectly measures the light intensity before it passes through the optical system components. By monitoring the input light and comparing it with the main sensor's output, the system can detect and correct for transmittance changes in the optical components, maintaining measurement accuracy while preserving the adaptability provided by these components.
3Measurement precision
If correction mechanisms are added to compensate for sensor and optical component changes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an auxiliary sensor that creates a copy or duplicate measurement of the input light intensity. This copied measurement is then used by the correction unit to adjust the main sensor's readings. This approach provides a simple and elegant correction mechanism that avoids complex calibration systems, mechanical adjustment mechanisms, or multiple sophisticated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 approach enables highly accurate measurements by correcting for changes in sensor accuracy and optical system transmittance, maintaining measurement precision despite environmental and temporal variations.
Implementation Method 1
diffracts and disperses the light being measured that has entered via the entrance slit by a diffraction means such as a diffraction grating
Implementation Method 2
receives the diffracted light by a light receiving sensor, thereby obtaining a measurement value
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrometer includes: a diffraction means that diffracts light being measured which has entered via an entrance unit; a main sensor that receives the light being measured which has been diffracted by the diffraction means; at least one auxiliary sensor disposed in an optical path of a luminous flux that does not reach the main sensor among luminous fluxes that have entered via the entrance unit, the auxiliary sensor receiving the luminous flux; and a correction means that corrects an output value of the main sensor on the basis of an output value of the auxiliary sensor.