Spiral Optical Waveguide Arrangement for Spectrometer Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical spectrometers face challenges in efficiently coupling excitation and measurement light in photon density wave spectrometry, particularly in strongly scattering samples with varying optical properties, leading to difficulties in light propagation and detection.
Innovation Solution
A measuring arrangement with a spiral-shaped arrangement of optical waveguide elements and an optical switching device allows for efficient coupling-in and coupling-out of light, minimizing crosstalk and enabling a wide range of accessible distances, using optical waveguides with graded-index profiles and photonic crystal fibers to reduce demodulation and absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional light coupling methods are used in photon density wave spectrometry, then the system structure is simple, but light coupling efficiency is poor and crosstalk occurs between waveguides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a spiral-shaped arrangement of optical waveguide elements instead of conventional linear or grid configurations. This curved, spiral geometry enables efficient light coupling by optimizing the spatial distribution of waveguides, reducing crosstalk between adjacent waveguides, and improving overall light propagation characteristics in the photon density wave spectrometer system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of optical waveguides is increased to analyze samples with diverse optical properties, then measurement versatility improves, but light absorption and demodulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral arrangement of optical waveguides reduces light absorption and demodulation losses by optimizing the light propagation path. The curved geometry allows for better spatial distribution of waveguides, reducing interference and energy loss as light travels through multiple waveguides, thereby enabling the system to handle a larger number of waveguides for diverse sample analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional waveguide arrangements to a three-dimensional spiral configuration. This dimensional change allows waveguides to be distributed in space more efficiently, reducing overlap and interaction between adjacent waveguides, thereby minimizing crosstalk and energy loss while accommodating more waveguides for versatile sample analysis.
3Reliability
If excitation light is coupled onto strongly scattering samples, then photon density wave generation is achieved, but light propagation becomes difficult to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral waveguide arrangement optimizes light coupling onto strongly scattering samples by providing multiple angled incidence paths. This curved configuration enhances the generation of photon density waves and improves the detection reliability by collecting light signals from various angles, making it easier to detect light propagation through highly scattering media.
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 enhances light propagation and measurement quality, allowing for the analysis of samples with diverse optical properties by increasing the number of optical waveguides and reducing absorption, thereby improving the spectroscopic investigation of photon density waves.
Implementation Method 1
using optical waveguides with graded-index profiles and photonic crystal fibers to reduce demodulation and absorption
Implementation Method 2
using optical waveguides with graded-index profiles and photonic crystal fibers to reduce demodulation and absorption
Implementation Method 3
a coupling-in/coupling-out device, which is configured to receive excitation light from a light source and couple it onto the sample to be measured in the measuring chamber and to receive measurement light formed in the sample to be measured on account of the coupled-in excitation light
Implementation Method 4
outputs of the plurality of optical waveguide elements are positioned corresponding to a spiral-shaped arrangement in the viewing direction towards the outputs
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring arrangement for an optical spectrometer, in particular a photon density wave spectrometer, having a measuring chamber, which can be loaded with a sample to be measured, and a coupling-in/coupling-out device which is configured to receive excitation light from a light source and couple it into the sample to be measured in the measuring chamber and to receive measuring light formed in the sample to be measured on account of the excitation light which has been coupled in and to emit said measuring light to a detection device, wherein the coupling-in/coupling-out device has an optical switching device and a plurality of light guide elements which couple to the latter, have a respective optical waveguide and can be connected according to at least one selectable measuring configuration using the optical switching device in order to couple in the excitation light and receive the measuring light according to the at least one selectable measuring configuration, and wherein outputs of the plurality of light guide elements are positioned according to a spiral arrangement in the viewing direction of the outputs.