Spectrometer Calibration Using Broadband Light and Interferometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectrometer calibration methods are time-consuming and costly, requiring individual calibration of each wavelength and often relying on monochromatic light sources, which limits the amount of information obtained and necessitates interpolation for detector elements between calibrated wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a broadband light source and optical interferometer to illuminate the spectrometer device, determining detector signals for photosensitive elements, and processing these signals to generate calibration information, including wavelength and stray light calibration, thereby eliminating the need for separate wavelength calibration and increasing the amount of measured information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual wavelength calibration is performed using monochromatic light sources, then wavelength accuracy is improved, but calibration time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wavelength calibration and stray light calibration into a single integrated process using broadband light. Instead of performing separate calibrations for each wavelength using monochromatic sources, the invention uses a single broadband light source to simultaneously obtain both wavelength calibration data and stray light calibration data for all detector elements across the entire spectral range, dramatically reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a broadband light source that serves multiple calibration functions simultaneously. The same broadband light source is used to calibrate both the wavelength scale and the stray light response across all detector elements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized monochromatic light sources and making the calibration process more efficient and universally applicable.
2Measurement precision
If monochromatic light sources are used for calibration, then wavelength-specific accuracy is improved, but the amount of calibration information obtained is limited and interpolation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wavelength calibration and stray light calibration into a single integrated process using broadband light. Instead of performing separate calibrations for each wavelength using monochromatic sources, the invention uses a single broadband light source to simultaneously obtain both wavelength calibration data and stray light calibration data for all detector elements across the entire spectral range, dramatically reducing calibration time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical interferometer as an intermediary device between the broadband light source and the spectrometer detector. The interferometer modulates the broadband light to create interference patterns that encode wavelength information, allowing the system to extract complete wavelength and stray light calibration data for all detector elements without requiring direct monochromatic illumination at each wavelength.
3Reliability
If multiple monochromatic light sources are used for comprehensive calibration, then calibration completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a broadband light source that serves multiple calibration functions simultaneously. The same broadband light source is used to calibrate both the wavelength scale and the stray light response across all detector elements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized monochromatic light sources and making the calibration process more efficient and universally applicable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical interferometer as an intermediary device between the broadband light source and the spectrometer detector. The interferometer modulates the broadband light to create interference patterns that encode wavelength information, allowing the system to extract complete wavelength and stray light calibration data for all detector elements without requiring direct monochromatic illumination at each wavelength.
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 allows for faster and more cost-effective calibration of spectrometer devices while enhancing the accuracy of spectral resolution and stray light information, reducing the necessity for individual wavelength calibration and improving measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
Light from a polychromatic light source is input to the monolithic interferometer where it undergoes interference based on the optical path difference of the interferometer.
Implementation Method 2
each photosensitive element is configured for receiving at least a portion of one of the constituent wavelength components and for generating a respective detector signal depending on an illumination of the respective photosensitive element
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for calibrating a spectrometer device. The spectrometer device includes at least one detector device including at least one optical element configured for separating incident light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength components and further includes a plurality of photosensitive elements. The method includes the following steps:a) illuminating, by using at least one broadband light source, the spectrometer device through at least one optical interferometer;b) determining for the plurality of photosensitive elements a plurality of detectors signals depending on the illumination through the optical interferometer in step a); andc) determining at least one item of calibration information from the plurality of detector signals.Further disclosed herein are a system for calibrating a spectrometer device, a computer program and a computer-readable storage medium for performing the method.