Spectroscopic Analyzer Polarizing Diffraction Prism Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectroscopic analysis devices have limited spectral dispersion ability and wavelength resolution due to their large size and continuous orientation distribution of polarizing diffraction gratings, which restricts the number of diffraction gratings and results in low wavelength resolution and a bulky device.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscopic analysis device with a polarizing diffraction element that spectrally disperses light in different directions, combined with a prism having distinct exit surfaces angled relative to the dispersion directions, and an imaging element to capture and analyze the dispersed light, enhancing spectral dispersion and reducing device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of diffraction gratings is increased to improve spectral dispersion ability, then wavelength resolution is improved, but the grating width increases and device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement of multiple diffraction gratings to a two-dimensional configuration where a single grating is combined with a reflective diffraction element. This dimensional change allows the optical system to achieve equivalent or superior spectral dispersion without increasing the physical footprint, as the light path is folded back through the sample using reflection rather than extending linearly with additional gratings.
Solution Approach 2:
The single diffraction grating in the patent serves multiple functions: it performs spectral dispersion of the incident light, and when combined with the reflective diffraction element, it enables the light to pass through the sample multiple times at different angles. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate gratings, achieving enhanced spectral dispersion ability without proportionally increasing device size.
2Measurement precision
If the grating width is increased to accommodate more diffraction gratings, then spectral dispersion ability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectral dispersion function from the light path folding function. The diffraction grating is responsible only for spectral dispersion, while the reflective diffraction element handles the light path folding and multiple passes through the sample. This functional segmentation allows the grating to maintain a compact width while achieving high spectral dispersion ability through the synergistic combination with the reflective element, rather than requiring a wide grating to accommodate multiple separate components.
3Measurement precision
If two imaging elements are used to capture both circularly polarized light components, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging functions for both circularly polarized light components into a single imaging element. The reflective diffraction element is configured to direct both the clockwise and counter-clockwise circularly polarized light components to the same imaging plane, allowing a single imaging element to capture both components simultaneously. This combining approach maintains measurement accuracy by preserving the ability to distinguish and analyze both polarization states while eliminating the need for two separate imaging elements.
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 solution improves wavelength resolution and reduces the size of the spectroscopic analysis device by expanding spectral dispersion angles and allowing for more efficient imaging with a single imaging element, thereby enhancing measurement speed and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizing diffraction element configured to diffract and spectrally disperse a first polarization component included in the light having passed through the sample in a first direction, the polarizing diffraction element being configured to diffract and spectrally disperse a second polarization component included in the light in a second direction different from the first direction
Implementation Method 2
a polarizing diffraction element configured to diffract and spectrally disperse a first polarization component included in the light having passed through the sample
Implementation Method 3
a prism which is disposed on an exit side of the polarizing diffraction element and which has a first exit surface crossing the first direction and a second exit surface crossing the second direction, and in which angles of the first exit surface and the second exit surface with respect to a reference plane including the first direction and the second direction are different
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3(C)
Figure 4
AI summary
A spectroscopic analysis device includes a light source configured to emit light including a plurality of wavelength components, a polarizer configured to convert the light emitted from the light source to a light of linearly polarized light to be radiated to a sample, a polarizing diffraction element configured to diffract and spectrally disperse a first polarization component included in the light having passed through the sample in a first direction, the polarizing diffraction element being configured to diffract and spectrally disperse a second polarization component included in the light in a second direction different from the first direction, a prism which is disposed on an exit side of the polarizing diffraction element and which has a first exit surface crossing the first direction and a second exit surface crossing the second direction, and in which angles of the first exit surface and the second exit surface with respect to a reference plane including the first direction and the second direction are different, an imaging element configured to capture an image of the first polarization component emitted from the first exit surface of the prism and an image of the second polarization component emitted from the second exit surface, and a processor configured to analyze the sample based on an imaging result of the imaging element.