Spectroscopic Module Light-Absorbing Layer Stray Light Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spectroscopy modules face reliability issues due to potential deviations in the relative positional relationship between the incident slit portion and the diode, leading to decreased performance and increased stray light interference.

Innovation Solution

The spectroscopy module incorporates a light-absorbing layer with specific light-passing holes to maintain the positional relationship between light paths and suppress stray light, utilizing laminated light-transmitting members and a light-absorbing layer to ensure accurate light transmission and detection, while also securely attaching wiring to prevent breakage and diffuse reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the incident slit portion and the diode are attached to the supporting body separately, then the assembly process is simple, but the relative positional relationship may deviate, resulting in decreased reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidpositional relationship stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the incident slit portion and the diode into a single integrated supporting body structure. The supporting body is designed as one piece with the slit and diode already positioned, eliminating the need for separate attachment operations and ensuring precise relative positioning is maintained throughout the device lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The incident slit portion and the diode are pre-positioned and fixed within the supporting body during the manufacturing process, before the supporting body is installed in the spectroscopy module. This preliminary integration ensures that the relative positional relationship is established with high precision and cannot deviate during subsequent assembly or operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If no light absorbing layer is provided, then the device structure is simple, but stray light enters the light detecting element, decreasing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidstray light interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes stray light from the optical path by introducing a light absorbing layer positioned between the spectroscopic portion and the light detecting element. This layer selectively absorbs stray light wavelengths while allowing desired signal light to pass through, effectively separating harmful stray light from the measurement signal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light absorbing layer converts the harmful effect of stray light into a beneficial absorption process. By strategically positioning the absorbing layer to match the spectral characteristics of stray light, the device transforms the unwanted stray light into absorbed energy, thereby protecting the detector from interference while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If wiring is attached to the body portion without light absorbing layer, then the wiring may be broken due to lack of firm attachment, but adding light absorbing layer increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring attachment strengthVSAvoidlayer structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light absorbing layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs stray light to protect the detector, provides a firm attachment surface for wiring through its positioning on the body portion, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural element by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The light absorbing layer is pre-installed on the body portion before wiring is attached. This preliminary positioning ensures that the wiring has a firm, stable surface to adhere to, preventing breakage during operation. The layer is positioned in advance to optimize both its light-absorbing function and its mechanical support function for the wiring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances the reliability of the spectroscopy module by maintaining precise positional alignment and effectively absorbing stray light, thereby improving measurement accuracy and reducing errors.

Implementation Method 1

the occurrence of stray light is suppressed by the light absorbing layer and the stray light is absorbed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a concave diffraction grating for dispersing the light made incident into the supporting body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP2154498B1Spectroscopic module
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP2154498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2154498B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2154498B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In the spectroscopy module 1, a light absorbing layer 6 having a light-passing hole 6a through which light L1 advancing into a spectroscopic portion 3 passes and a light-passing hole 6b through which light L2 advancing into a light detecting portion 4a of a light detecting element 4 passes is integrally formed by patterning. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deviation of the relative positional relationship between the light-passing hole 6a and the light-passing hole 6b. Further, since the occurrence of stray light is suppressed by the light absorbing layer 6 and the stray light is absorbed, the light detecting portion 4a of the light detecting element 4 can be suppressed from being made incident. Therefore, according to the spectroscopy module 1, it is possible to improve the reliability.