Thin-Film Thermal Reference Source for Optical Sensor Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional blackbody sources used for calibrating optical sensors are bulky, heavy, and power-intensive, and temperature sensors disrupt the uniformity of the radiative surface in thin-film devices, making it challenging to achieve accurate temperature measurements for calibration.
Innovation Solution
A thin-film device with a first carbon nanotube layer generating heat in response to applied voltage, a second carbon nanotube layer producing a blackbody radiation spectrum, and a thermocouple between the layers to measure temperature without affecting the temperature uniformity, using a thermal spreading layer to ensure even heat distribution across the radiative surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional blackbody sources are used for calibration, then accurate temperature measurement is achieved, but size, weight, and power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film carbon nanotube layers as the radiative surface, replacing traditional bulky blackbody sources. The thin-film structure dramatically reduces device weight and size while maintaining the blackbody radiation characteristics necessary for accurate optical sensor calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures including carbon nanotube layers combined with thermocouple materials and substrate materials. This composite approach enables both the blackbody radiation function and temperature measurement function within a compact, lightweight integrated device.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are placed on the radiative surface, then temperature measurement is enabled, but temperature uniformity across the surface is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal spreading layer as an intermediary between the heat source and the radiative surface. This layer distributes heat uniformly across the carbon nanotube radiative surface, preventing localized temperature variations that would be caused by direct sensor contact or localized heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements different functional layers with specialized properties: the carbon nanotube layer provides high-emissivity radiation, the thermal spreading layer ensures uniform heat distribution, and the thermocouple layer enables temperature measurement. Each layer is optimized for its specific function while working together to maintain overall temperature uniformity.
3Weight of moving object
If thin-film devices are used to reduce size, then SWaP challenges are addressed, but temperature measurement becomes more difficult due to thermal mass and conductivity effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical temperature sensing methods with thermocouple-based measurement. The thermocouples are integrated directly into the thin-film structure, eliminating the need for separate mechanical sensor assemblies and their associated mounting hardware, thereby maintaining the compact form factor while enabling accurate temperature measurement.
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 solution allows for precise temperature control and uniformity across the radiative surface, enabling accurate calibration of optical sensors while minimizing the size, weight, and power requirements, and maintaining the temperature uniformity necessary for effective calibration.
Implementation Method 1
a first carbon nanotube layer configured to generate heat in response to an applied voltage
Implementation Method 2
a second carbon nanotube layer configured to generate the blackbody radiation spectrum in response to the heat from the first carbon nanotube layer
Implementation Method 3
a thermocouple between the first carbon nanotube layer and the second carbon nanotube layer for measuring a temperature at the second carbon nanotube layer
Data Source
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AI summary
A thin-film device for generating a blackbody spectrum is disclosed. The device includes first layer configured to generate heat in response to an applied voltage and a second layer configured to generate the blackbody radiation spectrum in response to the heat from the first layer. A thermocouple is disposed between the first layer and the second layer for measuring a temperature at the second layer. The thermocouple measures temperature at the second layer in order to control temperature at the second layer. The thermocouple can be a copper-carbon nanotube thermocouple.