Spectroscopic Analysis Device Using Polarizing Beam Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectroscopic analysis devices for liquid phase specimens are inefficient due to the need to acquire reflected light twice, resulting in low throughput and instability, and require a complex configuration with a polarizer rotating mechanism, making them bulky and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscopic analysis device that separates and disperses orthogonal polarized light components using a polarizing separation element, a trigonal prism, and a slit, allowing simultaneous detection of p-polarized and s-polarized light components with a single image capturing element, which increases throughput and reduces device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a polarizer rotating mechanism is used to switch between p-polarized and s-polarized light, then absorption spectrum analysis can be performed, but measurement time increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reflected light into separate p-polarized and s-polarized components using a polarizing beam splitter, allowing both components to be detected simultaneously by separate detectors rather than sequentially, thereby eliminating the rotating mechanism and improving throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal multiplexing (sequential measurement by rotating polarizer) to spatial multiplexing (simultaneous measurement by beam splitting), adding a spatial dimension to the measurement process and enabling parallel detection of both polarized light components
2Measurement precision
If a polarizer rotating mechanism is used to acquire reflected light twice, then absorption spectrum can be obtained, but device configuration becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the polarizer rotating mechanism entirely by using a fixed polarizing beam splitter that continuously separates p-polarized and s-polarized light, extracting the unnecessary moving components while maintaining the ability to measure both polarized light components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating polarizer system with a static optical beam splitting system using polarizing beam splitters and fixed polarizers, eliminating mechanical movements while achieving the same measurement capability
3Measurement precision
If reflected light is acquired sequentially in time series, then component analysis can be performed, but measurement stability decreases due to light source instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary separation of p-polarized and s-polarized light components using beam splitters before detection, allowing simultaneous measurement of both components and enabling real-time compensation for light source instability through ratio calculation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simultaneous detection of both polarized light components to calculate absorption spectra through ratio operations, providing inherent feedback compensation for light source fluctuations and improving measurement stability
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 rapid and stable component analysis with improved light usage efficiency, allowing for simultaneous measurement of absorbed and non-absorbed reflected light, reducing the device size and cost, while maintaining high resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a prism (prism substrate 5, metal thin film 6) stuck to the specimen and configured to totally reflect the light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a polarizing separation element (8) configured to separate the light totally reflected by the prism into a first polarized light component and a second polarized light component that are orthogonal to each other
Implementation Method 3
a wavelength dispersing element (11) configured to disperse respective wavelength components of the first polarized light component and the second polarized light component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A spectroscopic analysis device is configured to perform component analysis on a specimen by means of a reflection absorption spectrum of reflected light obtained by irradiating the specimen with light. The spectroscopic analysis device includes: a light source configured to emit light for irradiating the specimen; a prism stuck to the specimen and configured to totally reflect the light emitted from the light source; a polarizing separation element configured to separate the light totally reflected by the prism into a first polarized light component and a second polarized light component that are orthogonal to each other; a wavelength dispersing element configured to disperse respective wavelength components of the first polarized light component and the second polarized light component that are separated by the polarizing separation element; an image capturing element configured to capture respective images of the first polarized light component and the second polarized light component that are dispersed by the wavelength dispersing element; and a processing unit configured to perform component analysis on the specimen by obtaining an absorbency at each wavelength by using an imaging signal output from the image capturing element.