Spheroid Ring Reflector for Compact Gas Detector

The patent employs a spheroid ring reflector with curved walls that contain and direct the radiation beam along a controlled path. The curved geometry of the reflector optimizes the optical path-length by reflecting radiation multiple times between the emitter and detector, effectively increasing the path-length within a compact volume without requiring a linear extension of the detector assembly.

The invention transitions from a linear one-dimensional path arrangement to a three-dimensional ring-shaped optical path. By configuring the reflector in a ring geometry and using curved walls to contain the beam, the system creates a multi-dimensional optical path that maximizes the effective path-length through spatial optimization rather than simple linear extension.

The spheroid ring reflector structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the radiation beam, defines the optical path-length, provides a large cross-sectional area for gas exchange, and maintains a compact overall form. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby improving response time without proportionally increasing device complexity.

The ring reflector is configured with curved walls that segment the optical path into multiple reflection zones, allowing the beam to traverse a long effective path-length through sequential reflections. This segmentation of the optical path enables the system to achieve both large cross-sectional area for gas exchange and extended interaction length without requiring a single large linear chamber.