Spectroscopy Device with Diffusing Optical Element for Heterogeneous Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectroscopy devices struggle to analyze heterogeneous and highly absorbent samples, such as grains and powders, using both infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy without moving or separating the sample, leading to inconsistent and non-representative measurements.
Innovation Solution
A device with a single measuring module that includes a reservoir for the sample, a diffusing and transparent optical element to address the issue of light intensity ratio during infrared spectroscopy, and separate subassemblies for infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy, allowing for simultaneous analysis without sample manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single source and monochromator are used for both infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the sample volume analyzed cannot be ensured to correspond between the two types of measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate subassemblies: a first subassembly dedicated to infrared spectroscopy with its own source and detector, and a second subassembly dedicated to fluorescence spectroscopy with its own source and detector. This segmentation allows each subassembly to independently analyze the same sample volume without interference, ensuring measurement precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular design.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sample is moved between separate modules for infrared and fluorescence measurements, then each measurement type can be performed with optimized equipment, but the loss of time increases due to sample manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
Both infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy subassemblies are merged into a single integrated device that simultaneously analyzes the same sample in the same location. This eliminates the need to move or separate the sample between measurements, reducing measurement time and operational complexity while maintaining the measurement optimization benefits of dedicated subassemblies.
3Device complexity
If conventional spectroscopy devices are used for heterogeneous and highly absorbent samples, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the light intensity ratio during infrared spectroscopy cannot be properly controlled
Solution Approach 1:
A diffusing and transparent optical element is introduced as an intermediary component in the infrared spectroscopy optical path. This element diffuses the infrared radiation from the source, creating a more uniform light distribution that properly controls the light intensity ratio during measurements on heterogeneous and highly absorbent samples, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 device enables precise and reliable analysis of heterogeneous samples by ensuring that the volume of the sample analyzed by infrared spectroscopy corresponds to the volume analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy, improving the correlation of data from both types of measurements and reducing measurement time and variability.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusing and transparent optical element for the electromagnetic radiation emitted by said first excitation source
Implementation Method 2
a first excitation source configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation in the infrared field and/or of the near-infrared field
Implementation Method 3
a second fluorescence spectroscopy subassembly comprising at least one second excitation source configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation... such that the volume of the sample which can be illuminated by the first excitation source corresponds to at least partially the volume of the sample which can be illuminated by the second excitation source
Data Source
AI summary
A device is for analyzing a heterogeneous sample (S). The device includes a measurement module having a reservoir configured to accommodate the sample (S), a first infrared spectroscopy subassembly and a second fluorescence spectroscopy subassembly. The first subassembly includes a diffusing optical element which is positioned so as to allow the implementation of reliable infrared spectroscopy measurements with a high precision without degrading the fluorescence spectroscopy measurements which take place on the same sample. The device includes a processing module connected to the measurement module by a communication network and a processor configured to analyze the data obtained by infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy.