Spectrometer Reference Waveguide Ambient Light Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometers face challenges in accurately measuring spectra under variable ambient light conditions due to sensor drift and calibration issues, leading to inconvenient and costly solutions that are not suitable for many applications.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that uses a reference waveguide and sample waveguides to collect illuminating and sample radiation simultaneously, with an optical system that spatially distributes and focuses radiation into an imaging plane, allowing concurrent measurement of spectra using a single imaging device, which compensates for errors such as sensor drift and ambient light variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to collect ambient light and sample spectra simultaneously, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference measurement function into the sample measurement path by using a beamsplitter to direct portions of both ambient light and sample light through the same spectrometer. This eliminates the need for separate reference sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy through simultaneous concurrent measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectrometer is designed to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously measures both ambient light spectra and sample reflectance spectra through optical switching. This universal approach allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, reducing calibration complexity while maintaining precision.
2Productivity
If rapid switching between fibre inputs is used, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sensor drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous simultaneous measurement of ambient light and sample light through the use of a beamsplitter and optical switching. Rather than rapidly switching between measurements, the system continuously captures both reference and sample spectra at the same time, eliminating gaps that would allow sensor drift to affect measurement accuracy while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical switching mechanism periodically alternates between directing ambient light and sample light to the spectrometer, but this switching occurs at the optical input stage before the sensor, not at the sensor level. This allows the sensor to remain in a stable state while still enabling sequential measurement of different light sources, preventing sensor drift issues.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical fibre switching is used, then wavelength range is improved, but switching speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fibre switching with an optical beamsplitter-based system that uses non-mechanical optical paths to direct different light sources to the spectrometer. This substitution eliminates the speed limitations of mechanical switching while maintaining the ability to cover the full wavelength range, as the beamsplitter operates passively without moving parts.
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 enables accurate and cost-effective simultaneous measurement of spectra, reducing the need for complex calibration and expensive equipment, while minimizing errors caused by sensor drift and ambient light changes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system that: spatially distributes radiation from each of the waveguides based on a frequency of the radiation
Implementation Method 2
focuses radiation from the optical fibres into an imaging plane
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for measuring spectra from one or more samples, the apparatus including a reference waveguide that receives illuminating radiation used to illuminate at least one sample, at least one sample waveguide that receives sample radiation at least one of reflected from and transmitted through a respective sample, an optical system that spatially distributes radiation from each of the waveguides based on a frequency of the radiation, and focuses radiation from the optical fibres into an imaging plane and an imaging device that captures an image of the focused and spatially distributed radiation from the imaging plane so that the image includes respective spectra from each of the waveguides.