Spherical-Mirror Multi-Pass Cells for Longer Optical Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-pass cells have low mirror utilization rate and limited optical path length, restricting the detection accuracy of trace gases.
Innovation Solution
The multi-pass cells are designed with incident-side and aiming-side mirrors composed of spliced spherical mirrors, forming multiple circulation components, and additional spherical mirrors at the points of incidence and emergence to increase the number of light spot reuses and optical path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional multi-pass cells are used, then the structure is simple and cost is low, but the mirror utilization rate is low and optical path length is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror system is divided into multiple spherical mirrors (first spherical mirror, second spherical mirror, third spherical mirror, fourth spherical mirror, fifth spherical mirror) arranged in specific configurations. Each mirror segment contributes to forming circulation components that extend the optical path through multiple reflections, achieving kilometer-level path lengths while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular mirror arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested circulation components where light undergoes multiple passes through overlapping mirror systems. The first circulation component (using first and second spherical mirrors) and second circulation component (using third, fourth, and fifth spherical mirrors) are nested such that light paths intersect and reuse spatial positions multiple times, maximizing optical path length within a compact mirror arrangement
2Measurement precision
If conventional multi-pass cells are used, then the structure is simple, but the number of light spot reuses is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates dynamic light path reuse by arranging spherical mirrors with specific curvature radii and spacing. The confocal resonator geometry enables light spots to traverse the same spatial positions multiple times through different circulation components, achieving high reuse counts (e.g., 114 passes) that dramatically improve detection accuracy through enhanced optical path length without requiring proportionally complex mirror arrangements
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 design enhances the mirror utilization rate and optical path, improving the detection accuracy and stability of trace gas monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
light is suitable for being incident from the point of incidence on one side of field mirror of one of circulation components, aiming at the geometric center of an objective mirror of the present circulation component, wherein light is also suitable for being emergent from the point of emergence on one side of the field mirror of circulation components after n-fold cyclic reflection between incident-side mirror and aiming-side mirror
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses multi-pass cells, which comprise aiming-side mirror and incident-side mirror arranged relatively on both sides, wherein both sides respectively comprise a plurality of spherical mirrors spliced to each other, wherein a total of n circulation components are formed based on incident-side mirror and aiming-side mirror, wherein any circulation component includes field mirror and objective mirror arranged relatively on both sides, wherein n is positive integer greater than or equal to 2, wherein light is suitable for being incident from point of incidence on one side of field mirror and aiming at the geometric center of objective mirror, wherein light is suitable for being emergent from point of emergence on one side of field mirror after n-fold cyclic reflection between incident-side mirror and aiming-side mirror, and wherein multiple rows as well as columns of light spots respectively on aiming-side mirror and incident-side mirror are finally formed. The present invention can achieve synchronous improvement in the utilization rate of the mirror and number of reuses of light spot's spatial position, thereby improving optical path.