Spectrometer Insert with Vacuum Seal for High-Temperature Optical Measurements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spectrometers cannot heat samples to high temperatures for measuring temperature-dependent optical properties without damaging the instrument due to heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

A spectrometer insert with an enclosed housing, transparent windows, and a sample mounting and heating assembly that allows local heating of the sample while maintaining the spectrometer at a safe temperature, enabling temperature-dependent optical property measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sample is heated to high temperatures for measuring temperature-dependent optical properties, then the measurement capability is improved, but the spectrometer may be damaged due to heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature-dependent optical property measurementVSAvoidheat transfer to spectrometer

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber containing the sample and heating assembly, and a second chamber containing the spectrometer. This segmentation isolates the heat generation function from the measurement function, allowing the sample to be heated to high temperatures while protecting the spectrometer from thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A vacuum seal acts as an intermediary barrier between the heated first chamber and the unheated second chamber. The vacuum prevents thermal conduction and convection, effectively mediating between the hot sample environment and the sensitive spectrometer, thereby protecting the instrument while enabling high-temperature measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If heating assembly is integrated with spectrometer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spectrometer reliability deteriorates due to thermal damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument structureVSAvoidspectrometer durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating assembly and spectrometer are segmented into separate chambers rather than being integrated. The first chamber houses the sample and heating elements, while the second chamber contains the spectrometer. This segmentation maintains functional integration for measurement purposes while physically separating the thermal load from the sensitive instrumentation, thereby preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum seal serves as a protective intermediary that allows thermal energy to be applied to the sample without directly affecting the spectrometer. This intermediary layer enables the system to function as an integrated measurement device while protecting the spectrometer from thermal damage, thus maintaining reliability without sacrificing functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9939366B2Spectrometer insert for measuring temperature-dependent optical properties

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

In one aspect, a spectrometer insert is provided. The spectrometer insert includes: an enclosed housing; a first transparent window on a first side of the enclosed housing; a second transparent window on a second side of the enclosed housing, wherein the first side and the second side are opposing sides of the enclosed housing; and a sample mounting and heating assembly positioned within an interior cavity of the enclosed housing in between, and in line of sight of, the first transparent window and the second transparent window. A method for using the spectrometer insert to locally heat a sample so as to measure temperature-dependent optical properties of the sample is also provided.