Spectroscope Compound Lenses Thermal Expansion Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectroscopes experience a decline in wavelength resolution due to changes in ambient temperature, as the concave mirrors expand or shrink, affecting the focal length, which is not effectively addressed without using special materials for the base to match the linear expansion coefficients of the optical components.
Innovation Solution
The spectroscope employs compound lenses with adjustable linear expansion coefficients, matched to the base material, to maintain consistent focal lengths and wavelength resolution across temperature changes, eliminating the need for special base materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional concave mirrors are used for wavelength dispersion, then the spectroscope can achieve basic wavelength separation, but the wavelength resolution deteriorates when ambient temperature changes due to thermal expansion of the mirrors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter (linear expansion coefficient) of the optical components from conventional concave mirrors to compound lenses with temperature-compensating materials. The compound lens uses a combination of materials with different thermal expansion coefficients to achieve a net expansion coefficient that matches the base material, thereby stabilizing the focal length across temperature variations and maintaining wavelength resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs compound lenses made from composite materials consisting of multiple optical elements with different thermal properties. By combining materials strategically, the overall thermal expansion behavior of the lens system is controlled to match the base material, compensating for temperature-induced focal length changes and preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If special materials with matched linear expansion coefficients are used for the base, then the wavelength resolution can be maintained against temperature changes, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex special materials for the base, the patent changes the approach by selecting conventional base materials and matching the optical components (compound lenses) to have equivalent thermal expansion characteristics. This simplifies the base material selection while achieving the same thermal compensation effect through the optical components themselves.
3Reliability
If the linear expansion coefficient of the base material is matched to the concave mirrors, then temperature-induced focal length changes are reduced, but this requires using specialized ceramic-aluminum composite materials that increase manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite material technology to the optical components (compound lenses) rather than the base structure. By creating compound lenses with internally compensated thermal expansion properties, the system achieves temperature stability without requiring complex ceramic-aluminum composite bases, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliability.
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 ensures that the wavelength resolution remains unaffected by temperature fluctuations, as the compound lenses' expansion coefficients are aligned with the base material's, maintaining accurate light focusing and spectrum measurement.
Implementation Method 1
the linear expansion coefficient of the compound focal length of the first compound lens, the linear expansion coefficient of the compound focal length of the second compound lens, and the linear expansion coefficient of a material forming the base are substantially equal
Data Source
AI summary
An improvement is added to a spectroscope for performing wavelength dispersion of measured light with a wavelength dispersion element and receiving the light at a light reception element. The spectroscope has a first compound lens made up of a plurality of lenses for converting measured light into parallel light and emitting the parallel light to the wavelength dispersion element; a second compound lens made up of a plurality of lenses for gathering the measured light subjected to the wavelength dispersion in the wavelength dispersion element and causing the light reception element to receive the light; and a base for fixing the wavelength dispersion element, the first compound lens, and the second compound lens. The linear expansion coefficient of the compound focal length of the first compound lens, the linear expansion coefficient of the compound focal length of the second compound lens, and the linear expansion coefficient of a material forming the base are substantially equal.