Supercontinuum Light Source for High-Speed Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spectroscopic analysis devices using diffraction gratings are not suited for high-speed analysis due to the need for wavelength sweeping and increased light exposure, and existing research using supercontinuum light has not effectively addressed the analysis of solid-phase and liquid-phase samples in the 1100 to 1200 nm wavelength range due to significant pulse stretching losses.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscopic analysis system employing a pulse laser source, a nonlinear element to generate supercontinuum light, and a pulse stretching element that maintains intensity and broadens pulse width within the 1100 to 1200 nm range, ensuring a one-to-one correspondence between wavelength and time with time dispersion of 10 picoseconds per nanometer and spectral intensity flatness within ±50%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a diffraction grating is used for spectroscopic analysis, then spectral resolution can be achieved, but high-speed analysis cannot be performed due to the need for wavelength sweeping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical diffraction grating system with an optical nonlinear optical crystal system. Instead of mechanically sweeping a diffraction grating to achieve spectral resolution, the invention uses optical parametric oscillation in nonlinear crystals to generate wavelength-tunable light through optical pumping, thereby substituting mechanical motion with optical interaction to achieve both spectral resolution and high-speed measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If the amount of light incident on the light receiver is increased to improve measurement SN ratio, then measurement sensitivity improves, but analysis speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed laser excitation of the nonlinear optical crystal to generate optical parametric oscillation. By using high-repetition-rate pulsed lasers, the system accumulates signal over multiple pulses while maintaining high instantaneous power for efficient nonlinear conversion, thereby achieving high measurement SN ratio without requiring prolonged exposure that would reduce analysis speed
3Measurement precision
If light with wavelengths strongly absorbed by the sample is used, then absorption spectrum measurement is possible, but the transmitted light becomes too weak for high SN ratio analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique property of optical parametric oscillation where the signal and idler wavelengths can be continuously tuned by changing the pump wavelength or crystal temperature. This allows the system to select optimal wavelength combinations where the signal wavelength corresponds to strong absorption features of the sample while the idler wavelength maintains sufficient transmitted intensity for detection, thereby resolving the contradiction between absorption measurement capability and transmitted light intensity
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
Enables high-speed, high-sensitivity spectroscopic analysis of solid-phase and liquid-phase samples with precise spectral resolution in the 1100 to 1200 nm range, overcoming previous limitations in pulse stretching and light intensity loss.
Implementation Method 1
a nonlinear element that outputs supercontinuum light by producing a nonlinear effect in light from the pulse laser source
Implementation Method 2
a pulse stretching element that broadens a pulse width of the supercontinuum light from the nonlinear element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(1)~2(3)
Figure 3
AI summary
[Object] An optimal structure for spectroscopically analyzing a solid-phase or liquid-phase sample in a wavelength range of 1100 to 1200 nm by using supercontinuum light is provided. [Solution] Supercontinuum light generated by producing nonlinear effects in light from a pulse laser source 1 by a nonlinear element 2 and having a wavelength range including 1100 nm or greater and 1200 nm or less is subjected to pulse stretching by a pulse stretching element 3, and a solid-phase or a liquid-phase sample S is irradiated with the supercontinuum light. In the supercontinuum light, elapsed time and wavelength within one pulse are in a one-to-one correspondence, and computation means 5 computes a spectrum based on a change over time in an output from a light receiver 4 that has received light that has passed through the sample S.