Spectroscope Stray Light Control via Asymmetric Depression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing spectrometers face challenges in miniaturization due to increased stray light, which affects detection accuracy as they are thinned.
Innovation Solution
A spectrometer design with a support having a depression and peripheral parts where the dispersive part is positioned on the inner surface of the depression, and the light detection element is supported by the side wall, with the length of the depression in one direction being larger than the other, and the peripheral area adjacent to the depression being larger in that direction, to inhibit stray light and allow for thinning without reducing detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the spectrometer is thinned for miniaturization, then the size is reduced, but the detection accuracy decreases due to increased stray light
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into distinct functional regions: a depression region for housing the dispersive element, peripheral parts for stray light management, and a side wall part for structural support. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function while contributing to overall miniaturization without compromising detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support are given different geometrical properties tailored to their specific functions. The depression has a specific depth and curvature optimized for optical path length, while the peripheral parts have varying areas and inclinations optimized for stray light redirection. This local optimization enables thinning while maintaining performance.
2Reliability
If the depression length in the second direction is increased to improve light dispersion, then the stray light control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The depression is designed with asymmetric dimensions where the length in the second direction (parallel to grating grooves) is specifically larger than the length in the third direction. This asymmetric geometry naturally guides dispersed light away from the light detection element while maintaining structural simplicity, avoiding the need for complex additional light-blocking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses stray light control primarily through the second direction dimension rather than increasing complexity in multiple dimensions. By optimizing the depression length ratio between the second and third directions, the design achieves effective stray light management through a single dimensional parameter relationship, simplifying the overall structure.
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 configuration enables the spectrometer to be miniaturized while maintaining detection accuracy by effectively reducing stray light and improving detection sensitivity through optimized light concentration and optical path design.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersive part disposed on the inner surface of the depression... a plurality of grating grooves included in the dispersive part is aligned
Implementation Method 2
a depression including a concave curved inner surface... light dispersed and reflected by the dispersive part
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrometer includes a support having a bottom wall part in which a depression including a concave curved inner surface and a peripheral part adjacent to the depression are provided, and a side wall part disposed on a side on which the depression is open with respect to the bottom wall part, a light detection element supported by the side wall part while opposing the depression, and a dispersive part disposed on the inner surface of the depression. A length of the depression in a second direction in which a plurality of grating grooves included in the dispersive part is aligned is larger than a length of the depression in a third direction orthogonal to the second direction when viewed in a first direction in which the depression and the light detection element oppose each other. An area of the peripheral part adjacent to the depression in the second direction is larger than an area of the peripheral part adjacent to the depression in the third direction when viewed in the first direction.