Variable Focus Lens Air Gap Adjustment for Spectrometer Focal Length Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectrometers face challenges in comparing spectral results due to variations in focal lengths, leading to inconsistent Raman spectra when using spectrometers with lenses having focal length variations of ±2%, which requires labor-intensive mathematical corrections and introduces errors.
Innovation Solution
The technology provides adjustable focal lens structures for spectrometers, allowing for the adjustment of focal lengths to ensure uniformity across multiple spectrometers, enabling the generation of similar Raman spectra by adjusting the air gap between lenses, thereby correcting focal length differences before data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If focal lengths of lenses in spectrometers are allowed to vary within manufacturing tolerances (±2%), then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but spectral consistency and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the focal length of lenses during the assembly process before the spectrometer is put into use. The adjustment is performed by changing the air gap between lens elements, allowing the focal length to be precisely tuned to a predetermined value. This ensures spectral consistency across multiple spectrometers without requiring tighter manufacturing tolerances.
2Measurement precision
If mathematical corrections are applied to align spectral results from spectrometers with different focal lengths, then spectral consistency can be improved, but time consumption and complexity of data processing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for post-acquisition mathematical corrections by performing focal length adjustment before data acquisition. By physically adjusting the lens focal length to match a predetermined value, the spectrometers are pre-calibrated to produce consistent spectral results, thereby avoiding time-consuming data processing corrections.
3Measurement precision
If adjustable focal lens structures are implemented in spectrometers, then spectral consistency across multiple devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting the physical distance (air gap) between lens elements to modify the focal length. This simple parameter adjustment mechanism allows focal length tuning without requiring complex optical redesign, achieving spectral consistency through a straightforward structural modification.
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 approach ensures that spectrometers produce consistent Raman spectra, reducing the need for post-processing corrections and enhancing the accuracy of spectral comparisons by aligning Raman lines, thus facilitating data sharing and analysis across different spectrometers.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable single air gap 218 defined between the first lens set 212 and the second lens set 216
Data Source
AI summary
The technology provides a spectroscopy system having two or more spectrometers with substantially uniform focal lengths. The spectrometers include a detector that converts optical signals into electrical signals to render spectral data. The spectroscopy system includes a computing device that is electrically coupled to one or more detectors to receive the spectral data and compare the spectral data against other spectral data. The other spectral data originates from spectrometers that have substantially similar focal lengths, slit widths, excitation laser wavelengths, or any combination of these. The technology includes an application server that is communicatively coupled to a second spectroscopy system. The application server includes software that enables data sharing among the two or more spectroscopy systems, including sharing the spectral data and the other spectral data. The application server compares sampled spectral data against stored spectral data to identify a match.