Tunable Filter Photonic Circuit for Compact Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectroscopic analysis devices for tissue sensing are bulky, costly, and limited to hospital use due to their size and high cost, restricting their application beyond medical settings and requiring extensive data collection across the full spectral range.
Innovation Solution
A handheld spectroscopic analysis device utilizing a photonic integrated circuit with tunable bandpass filters and a microcontroller to filter light from a sample, allowing for fast detection and high resolution with minimal wavelengths measured, enabling point-of-care and mobile applications by integrating multiple filters on a single chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If broadband spectrometers are used to cover visible and near infrared wavelength ranges, then spectral coverage is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband spectrum is segmented into multiple wavelength ranges, with each tunable filter targeting a specific segment. The system sequentially measures different spectral segments rather than capturing the full spectrum simultaneously, reducing the need for large broadband spectrometers while maintaining comprehensive spectral coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically tunable filters that can adjust their wavelength range in real-time. This dynamic capability allows a single compact filter to replace multiple fixed broadband spectrometers, as the filter can be tuned to cover different wavelength ranges sequentially, achieving full spectral coverage with a smaller device footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If broadband spectrometers are used for full spectral range measurement, then spectral coverage is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive broadband spectrometers that cover the entire visible and near-infrared ranges, the system segments the spectral measurement into multiple narrower wavelength bands. Each tunable filter is designed for a specific segment, reducing the manufacturing cost of individual components while achieving comprehensive spectral coverage through sequential measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive, complex broadband spectrometers with cheaper, simpler tunable filters that can be manufactured at lower cost. Although each filter covers a limited wavelength range, the sequential tuning capability ensures complete spectral coverage is achieved, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional expensive spectrometric systems.
3Productivity
If fast detection with limited wavelengths is used, then measurement time is reduced, but spectral resolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tunable filters are designed with fast tuning capability, allowing rapid switching between different wavelength ranges. This dynamic response enables the system to perform fast measurements by sequentially scanning through different spectral segments, achieving both high measurement speed and adequate spectral resolution without requiring simultaneous multi-wavelength detection.
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 solution reduces the form factor and cost significantly, enabling fast and accurate tissue recognition and expanding applications to mobile and emergency services, while reducing noise and measurement time, allowing for real-time analysis with simple photo detectors.
Implementation Method 1
a photonic integrated circuit comprising one or more tunable bandpass filters arranged to filter the received light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A spectroscopic analysis device for analysis of a sample comprising: a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) comprising: an input (DEF) for receiving light from the sample; and a demultiplexer (DEMUX) arranged to distribute the received light into at least a first optical chain (C1) and a second optical chain (C2); wherein each optical chain (C1, C2) of the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) further comprises a tunable bandpass filter (TBF1, TBF2) and a photodetector (PD1, PD2) arranged respectively to filter and to detect the light distributed into its corresponding optical chain (C1, C2); wherein each optical chain (C1, C2) further comprises an integrator (INT1, INT2) configured to integrate an electrical output of the photodetector in its corresponding optical chain (C1, C2); wherein i) each tunable bandpass filter (TBF1, TBF2) is configured to receive control data indicative of a time period (TFilter) during which the corresponding tunable bandpass filter (TBF1, TBF2) is arranged to filter a predetermined wavelength interval and/or ii) each integrator (INT1, INT2) is configured to receive control data indicative of a time period (Tint) during which the corresponding integrator is arranged to integrate an electrical output of its corresponding photodetector (PD1, PD2), such that the integration result of the corresponding integrator (INT1, INT2) is controlled based on the respective time period (TFilter, Tint).