Surface Layer for Raman Spectroscopy Rough Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radiation and wave-based detection techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy, face significant limitations when used on containers with rough surfaces like frosted glass, as they suffer from electromagnetic radiation loss due to scattering, dispersion, and diffraction, leading to reduced effectiveness in detecting analytes.

Innovation Solution

Applying a surface layer to the rough surface of containers before electromagnetic radiation is passed through, which reduces scattering, dispersion, or diffraction, thereby enhancing the transmission of electromagnetic radiation and improving the detection of analytes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radiation and wave-based detection techniques are used on containers with rough surfaces, then non-invasive detection capability is improved, but electromagnetic radiation loss due to scattering and diffraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection effectivenessVSAvoidelectromagnetic radiation loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling medium is introduced between the rough container surface and the detection probe to act as an intermediary that reduces scattering and diffraction of electromagnetic radiation. The coupling medium fills surface irregularities and provides a smoother transmission path for the radiation, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining non-invasive detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The rough container surface is treated or prepared in advance by applying a coupling medium before detection occurs. This preliminary action modifies the surface properties to reduce scattering and diffraction effects, enabling more effective radiation transmission during the actual detection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If traditional backscattering Raman spectroscopy is used, then device compactness is improved, but detection capability on rough surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstrument compactnessVSAvoiddetection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling medium is placed between the probe and the rough container surface to enable effective backscattering Raman spectroscopy. This intermediary reduces the scattering and diffraction caused by surface roughness, allowing the compact traditional instrument to detect analytes in containers with rough surfaces that would otherwise be undetectable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If spatially offset Raman spectroscopy is used to detect explosives in containers, then detection capability on rough surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional optical components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidoptical components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling medium is applied to the rough container surface to reduce scattering and diffraction, enabling traditional backscattering Raman spectroscopy to achieve detection capabilities previously only attainable with more complex spatially offset Raman spectroscopy systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling medium creates an effective optical interface that replicates the conditions needed for spatially offset Raman spectroscopy using simpler traditional backscattering geometry, achieving similar detection results with fewer optical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 use of a surface layer significantly increases the signal strength and detection accuracy of analytes in containers with rough surfaces, enhancing the effectiveness of radiation and wave-based detection methods by reducing electromagnetic radiation loss by up to several orders of magnitude.

Implementation Method 1

The rough surface can cause a loss of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) by scattering, dispersion, and/or diffraction at the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The rough surface can cause a loss of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) by scattering, dispersion, and/or diffraction at the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 3

The rough surface can cause a loss of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) by scattering, dispersion, and/or diffraction at the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

Raman spectroscopy can be used to screen for, among other things, liquid explosives

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRaman spectroscopy:

Data Source

PatentEP2430430B1Method for reducing loss of electromagnetic radiation in detection applications
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 SMITHS DETECTION INC(US)
  • EP2430430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2430430B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2430430B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3

AI summary

The application provides a method for reducing the loss of electromagnetic radiation caused by passing electromagnetic radiation through material with a rough surface. The method comprises applying a surface layer, such as a liquid or plastic film, to the material. The surface layer masks or decreases the surface irregularities or effects therefrom resulting in decreased loss of electromagnetic energy.