Thermoreflectance Temperature Mapping for Electromagnetically Radiating Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermoreflectance measurement methods are affected by stray electromagnetic emission from electromagnetically radiating devices when they are energized, leading to inaccuracies in temperature measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that capture reference and modified images of a device in both un-energized and energized states using optical signals with varying characteristics, allowing for the calculation of temperature changes without being influenced by electromagnetic emissions, by illuminating the device with different optical intensities or wavelengths and using a thermoreflectance coefficient to determine temperature maps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If thermoreflectance measurement is performed on an electromagnetically radiating device in an energized state, then temperature measurement is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to stray electromagnetic emission interfering with the optical signal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidstray electromagnetic emission interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A modulated optical signal serves as an intermediary carrier that encodes temperature information through its reflectivity changes. The optical signal acts as a mediator between the optical detection system and the device under test, allowing temperature measurement without direct electromagnetic interference from the device's operational emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electromagnetic measurement approaches with optical measurement approaches. By using optical signals to detect temperature changes through thermoreflectance effects, the system substitutes the vulnerable electromagnetic detection mechanism with an optical one that is immune to electromagnetic interference from the device's operational emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If optical signal illumination is used to measure thermoreflectance, then non-contact temperature measurement is achieved, but measurement precision worsens when the device emits electromagnetic radiation during energization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-contact measurement capabilityVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The modulated optical signal functions as an intermediary that carries temperature information without being directly affected by the device's electromagnetic emissions. The optical signal's reflectivity changes with temperature, providing a clean measurement pathway that maintains non-contact capability while achieving precision despite the device's operational state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains non-contact measurement capability by using optical illumination and detection, substituting contact-based temperature measurement methods. This optical approach inherently preserves ease of operation while the modulated signal processing ensures measurement precision remains intact even when the device is energized and emitting electromagnetic radiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate temperature mapping of electromagnetically emitting devices between un-energized and energized states without contact, effectively mitigating the impact of stray electromagnetic emissions and providing precise temperature data.

Implementation Method 1

Thermoreflectance-based imaging is dependent on the measurement of the relative change in the sample's surface reflectivity as a function of temperature. As the temperature of a sample changes, the refractive index, and therefore, the reflectivity also changes.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoreflectance:

Implementation Method 2

electromagnetic emission from the device under test while in the energized state can play havoc with thermoreflectance measurements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic emission:

Data Source

PatentUS10670475B2Method and system for thermal imaging with optical emissions from a device under test

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 MICROSANJ LLC

AI summary

A method for determining change in temperature of an electromagnetically radiating device between un-energized and energized states without contacting the device is disclosed. The method includes establishing a reference image form the device by illuminating the device with an optical signal having a first optical characteristic and capturing the reference image from the device in an un-energized state, establishing an on image form the device by illuminating the device in an energized state, and establishing a modified on image form the device by illuminating the device in the energized state with a modified optical signal having a third illuminating optical characteristic, and comparing the reference image, the on image, and the modified on image to establish changes in reflection as a result of changes in temperature of the device during energization.