Spectrometer Leveraged-Optics Deflector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spectrometers face challenges in achieving high precision and long-term stability due to misalignments caused by adjustable optical elements drifting during operation, and fixed stages compromise alignment precision, especially in environments lacking immediate technical assistance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a spectrometer with a leveraged-optics adjustable deflector that optically leverages mechanical adjustments into smaller optical adjustments, using a rotatable wedged optical plate to maintain alignment and compensate for misalignments without introducing angular misalignment, ensuring precise lateral alignment and long-term stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If adjustable optical elements are used to achieve precise alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to drift during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical elements are pre-aligned to the required precision during manufacturing, then permanently fixed in position. This preliminary alignment action eliminates the need for adjustment mechanisms, ensuring both high initial precision and long-term stability without drift during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using adjustable elements to achieve precision (which then drift), the patent inverts the approach by using fixed elements that are pre-set to precise positions. The solution shifts from 'adjustable for precision' to 'fixed with pre-established precision', reversing the conventional wisdom that adjustability is needed for alignment.
2Reliability
If fixed optical stages are used to improve reliability, then alignment stability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The precise alignment is performed as a preliminary action during the manufacturing process, before the system is deployed. Optical elements are carefully positioned and then permanently fixed, achieving both the required manufacturing precision and subsequent reliability without needing adjustment mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical adjustments are made to correct misalignment, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the adjustment mechanisms from the optical system entirely. By achieving precise alignment through preliminary manufacturing processes and then fixing elements permanently, the complex adjustment mechanisms are eliminated, reducing device complexity while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding adjustment mechanisms to achieve precision, the patent inverts the approach by using precision manufacturing and permanent fixation. The solution moves from 'add complexity to gain precision' to 'use precision manufacturing to eliminate 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 design enhances the spectrometer's precision and stability by allowing for precise alignment and realignment of the spectrally dispersed light onto the detector array, minimizing downtime and operational issues, even in environments without immediate technical support.
Implementation Method 1
a leveraged-optics adjustable deflector to adjustably deflect the spectrally dispersed light... The adjustable deflector includes at least one rotatable wedged optical plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A spectrometer is presented that includes s spectrally dispersive optical element (120) to spectrally disperse a received light, a leveraged-optics adjustable deflector (142-1, 142-2, 142-3) to adjustably deflect the spectrally dispersed light, and a detector array (160) to receive the spectrally dispersed and adjustably deflected light. The received light can inlcude an interference beam combined from a returned image beam and a reference beam in a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomograph. The detector array can include a linear sensor array. The leveraged-optics adjustable deflector can include an optical element with an adjustable transmissive property or an adjustable reflective property, wherein the adjustable deflector is adjustable by a mechanical adjustment being optically leveraged into a smaller optical adjustment.