Fourier-transform optical spectrometer with decoupled interferogram generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Fourier-transform optical spectrometers face challenges in miniaturization and portability, requiring complex alignment of optical detector systems and limited manufacturing flexibility, which hinders their integration into miniature and portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A Fourier-transform optical spectrometer design featuring parallel optical waveguides with different refractive indices and an unmodified slab section allows lateral leakage of light, decoupling interferogram generation from detection, enabling simpler manufacturing and increased alignment tolerance, and allowing various optical detector systems to be integrated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical detector system is precisely aligned to a narrow grating structure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional regions: modified sections containing parallel waveguides for interferogram generation, and an unmodified slab section for light propagation and detection. This segmentation allows the detector to be positioned away from the complex waveguide region, reducing alignment requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The unmodified slab section acts as an intermediary medium between the waveguides and the detector. It allows light to leak from the waveguides and propagate to the detector without requiring precise alignment, effectively decoupling the alignment requirements of the interferogram generation from the detection system.
2Measurement precision
If the optical detector system is precisely aligned to a narrow grating structure, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional regions: modified sections containing parallel waveguides for interferogram generation, and an unmodified slab section for light propagation and detection. This segmentation allows the detector to be positioned away from the complex waveguide region, reducing alignment requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The unmodified slab section acts as an intermediary medium between the waveguides and the detector. It allows light to leak from the waveguides and propagate to the detector without requiring precise alignment, effectively decoupling the alignment requirements of the interferogram generation from the detection system.
3Volume of moving object
If the optical detector system is integrated into the Fourier-transform optical spectrometer, then device miniaturization is improved, but alignment tolerance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional regions: modified sections containing parallel waveguides for interferogram generation, and an unmodified slab section for light propagation and detection. This segmentation allows the detector to be positioned away from the complex waveguide region, reducing alignment requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The unmodified slab section acts as an intermediary medium between the waveguides and the detector. It allows light to leak from the waveguides and propagate to the detector without requiring precise alignment, effectively decoupling the alignment requirements of the interferogram generation from the detection system.
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 design results in a more portable and manufacturally flexible Fourier-transform optical spectrometer with improved alignment tolerance and detector integration, capable of high-resolution broadband operation, suitable for integration into miniature devices like smartphones and implants.
Implementation Method 1
the unmodified section of the slab has a propagation mode with a third effective refractive index larger than each of said first effective refractive index and said second effective refractive index, allowing lateral leakage of light from the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide into the said propagation mode of the unmodified section of the slab
Implementation Method 2
The first optical waveguide has a propagation mode with a first effective refractive index; the second optical waveguide has a propagation mode with a second effective refractive index different from the first effective refractive index
Data Source
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AI summary
A Fourier-transform optical spectrometer (102, 104) comprises a planar slab (106); a first optical waveguide (114); a second optical waveguide (116), wherein the first optical waveguide (114) and the second optical waveguide (115) each is in the form of a local modification of the slab (106) and are laterally disposed at the slab (106) parallel to each other; and an optical detector system (108) connected to an unmodified section (112) of the slab (106) and segmented and extending in parallel to the first optical waveguide (114) and the second optical waveguide (116), wherein the first optical waveguide (114) has a propagation mode with a first effective refractive index; the second optical waveguide (116) has a propagation mode with a second effective refractive index different from the first effective refractive index; and the unmodified section (112) of the slab (106) has a propagation mode with a third effective refractive index larger than each of the first effective refractive index and the second effective refractive index, allowing lateral leakage of light from the first optical waveguide (114) and the second optical waveguide (116) into the said propagation mode of the unmodified section (112) of the slab (106), so that an interferogram (200) may be produced in the unmodified section (112) of the slab (106) and be detectable by the optical detector system (108).