Tilted Optical Filter Elements Reduce Multiple-Reflection Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spectroscopic devices using filters with varying transmission wavelengths experience multiple-reflection issues, leading to light components from other wavelength bands being received by light-receiving elements, which affects measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The spectroscopic unit incorporates a filter with multiple optical filter elements arranged sequentially, where a first optical filter element is rotated by a given angle about a rotational axis orthogonal to the direction of incident light, thereby reducing multiple-reflection by being inclined relative to adjacent elements and the light-receiving section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple optical filter elements are combined to create a filter with varying transmission wavelength, then the filter can achieve wavelength separation functionality, but multiple-reflection occurs between the filter elements causing light components from other wavelength bands to be received by light-receiving elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectroscopic accuracyVSAvoidmultiple-reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by tilting the first optical filter element at a specific angle (e.g., 5-15 degrees) relative to the second optical filter element. This asymmetric arrangement breaks the parallel alignment between filter elements, causing reflected light to diverge at different angles and preventing it from reaching the light-receiving section, thereby eliminating multiple-reflection interference while maintaining wavelength separation functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional parameter - the tilt angle of the first optical filter element - to solve the multiple-reflection problem. By adding this angular dimension to the otherwise planar arrangement of filter elements, the reflected light is redirected into a different spatial dimension, preventing it from interfering with the intended light path to the light-receiving section

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the filter and light-receiving section are disposed with one inclined relative to the other, then multiple-reflection between them is reduced, but multiple-reflection within the filter itself still occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple-reflection between filter and light-receiving sectionVSAvoidspectroscopic accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by tilting the first optical filter element at a specific angle (e.g., 5-15 degrees) relative to the second optical filter element. This asymmetric arrangement breaks the parallel alignment between filter elements, causing reflected light to diverge at different angles and preventing it from reaching the light-receiving section, thereby eliminating multiple-reflection interference while maintaining wavelength separation functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional parameter - the tilt angle of the first optical filter element - to solve the multiple-reflection problem. By adding this angular dimension to the otherwise planar arrangement of filter elements, the reflected light is redirected into a different spatial dimension, preventing it from interfering with the intended light path to the light-receiving section

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively minimizes the reception of light components outside the specific wavelength band by each light-receiving element, enhancing spectroscopic accuracy and measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

a filter for spectrally dispersing target light to be measured, on a wavelength-by-wavelength (wavenumber-by-wavenumber) basis, wherein the filter has a transmission wavelength which varies depending on an incident position along a first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral dispersion: Diffraction Grating

Implementation Method 2

a first optical filter element as one of the plurality of optical filter elements is rotated, by a given angle, about a rotational axis defined along a third direction orthogonal to each of the first direction and a second direction extending from the incident side toward the output side of the target light, or rotated, by a given angle, about a rotational axis defined along the first direction, and thereby disposed inclinedly with respect to a second optical filter element disposed in adjacent relation to the first optical filter element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3067672B1Spectroscopic unit and spectroscopic device using same
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP3067672B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3067672B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3067672B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A spectroscopic unit and spectroscopic device according to the present invention are provided with a filter that is provided with a plurality of optical filter elements disposed in order from the entrance side to the exit side of light under measurement and has different transmission wavelengths corresponding to entrance positions along a first direction. A first optical filter element from among the plurality of optical filter elements is tilted with respect to a second optical filter element disposed adjacently to the first optical filter element as a result of the first optical filter element being rotated by a prescribed angle with a third direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction and s second direction from the entrance side to the exit side as the axis of rotation thereof or being rotated by a prescribed angle with the first direction as the axis of rotation thereof.