Spectrometer Light Mixing for Short Wavelength Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spectrometers using white light sources like tungsten lamps face reduced measurement accuracy in the short wavelength range due to decreased light intensity, making it difficult to accurately measure spectral characteristics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a second light source with a peak wavelength within the visible light range, such as a violet LED, to mix with the light from the tungsten lamp, compensating for the reduced light intensity in the short wavelength range and improving measurement accuracy through a wavelength variable interference filter and light receiving unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a white light source such as a tungsten lamp is used, then the light source structure is simple and stable, but the light amount in the short wavelength range decreases, lowering measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of light sourceVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy of spectral characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a first light source (tungsten lamp) that provides stable operation with a second light source (violet LED) that emits light in the short wavelength range. The light mixing unit merges the light from both sources, allowing the system to maintain stability while compensating for the deficiency in short wavelength light amount, thereby improving measurement accuracy in the blue-violet region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If only a first light source without peak wavelength in visible light range is used, then the light source structure is simple, but the light amount in short wavelength range considerably decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight source structure complexityVSAvoidlight amount in short wavelength range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges a first light source (tungsten lamp) with a second light source (violet LED) whose peak wavelength is in the visible light range (380-450 nm). This combination increases the light amount in the short wavelength range without creating a complex light source structure, as the two sources are integrated through a light mixing unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If a second light source with peak wavelength in visible light range is added, then the light amount in short wavelength range increases, but the light source structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight amount in short wavelength rangeVSAvoidlight source structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates a second light source (violet LED) with the existing first light source (tungsten lamp) through a light mixing unit. This merging approach increases the light amount in the short wavelength range while maintaining relatively simple structure by combining the functions of both light sources in a unified configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The second light source effectively increases light intensity in the short wavelength range, enhancing the measurement accuracy of spectral characteristics by compensating for the decreased light amount from the tungsten lamp, resulting in highly accurate spectral measurements.

Implementation Method 1

a wavelength variable interference filter which receives light mixed by the light mixer and transmits light contained in the received mixed light and having a particular wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference filter wavelength selection: Interference

Implementation Method 2

a light receiving unit which receives light transmitted by the wavelength variable interference filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8711362B2Spectrometer

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A spectrometer includes: a tungsten lamp which emits light with no peak wavelength within a wavelength range of visible light and having a light amount increasing as the wavelength becomes longer; a violet LED which emits light having a peak wavelength within the wavelength range of visible light; a light mixer which mixes light emitted from the tungsten lamp and the violet LED; an etalon which receives light mixed by the light mixer and transmits light contained in the received mixed light and having a particular wavelength; a light receiving unit which receives light transmitted by the etalon; and a measurement control unit which changes the wavelength of light that can pass through the etalon and measures spectral characteristics of the light having passed through the etalon based on the light received by the light receiving unit.