Spectroscopic Instrument Wavenumber-Linear Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectroscopic instruments for optical coherence tomography require time-consuming re-sampling to convert spectral intensity distributions from wavelength to wavenumber, leading to a drop in signal quality and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscopic instrument with a first optical component for spatial spectral splitting of polychromatic light, routing spectral regions onto differing spatial regions, and a sensor with light-sensitive elements arranged to register intensity linearly over wavenumber, eliminating the need for re-sampling and maintaining sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the spectrum is imaged linearly over wavelength using conventional spectroscopic instruments, then the spectral intensity distribution can be registered with fixed wavelength spacing, but re-sampling to wavenumber space is required which increases computing time and causes sensitivity drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the spectral imaging parameter from wavelength-linear spacing to wavenumber-linear spacing by adjusting the optical path difference scaling. This parameter change allows direct acquisition of spectrum I(k) without requiring post-processing re-sampling, thereby eliminating computing time loss while maintaining spectral measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the optical system to directly image the spectrum linearly over wavenumber at the detector plane. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for subsequent re-sampling operations, reducing computing time and preventing sensitivity drop before data acquisition begins
2Measurement precision
If re-sampling is performed to convert spectrum from wavelength to wavenumber space, then the spectral intensity distribution can be transformed to I(k), but signal quality and sensitivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental imaging parameter from wavelength-based to wavenumber-based linear spacing in the optical system itself. This parameter change ensures that the spectral intensity distribution is directly measured as I(k) with full signal fidelity, avoiding the sensitivity drop and signal-to-noise ratio degradation that occurs during computational re-sampling
3Ease of manufacture
If the spectrum is available in non-linear form over wavenumber from wavelength-linear imaging, then conventional spectroscopic instruments can be used, but modulation frequencies cannot be readily ascertained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the optical imaging parameter to produce wavenumber-linear spectral spacing directly at the detector, rather than wavelength-linear spacing. This parameter change enables modulation frequencies to be readily detected and measured from the spectral intensity distribution without requiring complex post-processing transformations, while maintaining ease of instrument manufacture through standard optical components
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 approach reduces the time required for extracting OCT tomograms and avoids signal quality loss, providing high-quality imaging by imaging the spectrum linearly over wavenumber.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical component (48) for spatial spectral splitting of a polychromatic beam of light (46) impinging onto the first optical component (48)
Implementation Method 2
The first optical component may take the form of a diffractive component. In particular, a diffractive component may take the form of a diffraction grating
Implementation Method 3
an objective (50), which is set up to route various spectral regions of the split beam of light (46) onto differing spatial regions
Implementation Method 4
a sensor (54), situated downstream of the objective (50) in the beam path of the beam of light (46), with a plurality of light-sensitive sensor elements (54a, 54b, 54c)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
A spectroscopic instrument (38) includes a first optical component (48) for spatial spectral splitting of a polychromatic beam of light (46) impinging onto the first optical component (48), an objective (50), which routes various spectral regions (B1, B2, B3) of the split beam of light (46a, 46b, 46c) onto differing spatial regions (52a, 52b, 52c), and a sensor (54), situated downstream of the objective (50) in the beam path of the beam of light (46a, 46b, 46c), with a plurality of light-sensitive sensor elements (54a, 54b, 54c). The sensor elements (54a, 54b, 54c) are arranged in the beam path of the split beam of light 46a, 46b, 46c in such a manner that each sensor element (54a, 54b, 54c) registers the intensity of a spectral sector (A1, A2, A3) of the beam of light (46) and the medians (Mk1, Mk2, Mk3) of the spectral sectors (A1, A2, A3) are situated equidistant from one another in the k-space, where (k) denotes the wavenumber.