WGM Resonator Barcode Temperature Sensing Across Wide Dynamic Range
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator sensors face limitations in measuring temperature with high sensitivity and large dynamic range due to the need for continuous laser scanning and the inability to determine absolute temperature from resonance shifts.
Innovation Solution
An optical WGM barcode technique that analyzes the collective pattern of multiple modes in the transmission spectrum, allowing direct temperature readout by comparing the measured barcode to a pre-calibrated library, eliminating the need for continuous laser scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If continuous laser scanning is used to track resonance shifts, then temperature measurement capability is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mode shifts out of scanning range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature measurement process into discrete barcode snapshots taken at different temperatures, rather than continuous scanning. Each barcode represents a specific temperature state, and the system determines current temperature by comparing the current barcode snapshot against the library of reference barcodes, eliminating the need for continuous scanning while maintaining measurement capability across the full temperature range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calibrating and storing reference barcodes at known temperatures before actual measurements. This pre-established library of reference barcodes allows the system to directly compare and determine temperature without needing to continuously track resonance shifts, thereby improving precision while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If laser scanning range is increased to improve dynamic range, then measurement range is improved, but resolution drops due to limited data points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature measurement into discrete barcode snapshots taken at specific temperature points across the dynamic range. Each snapshot captures the complete resonance spectrum at that temperature, creating a detailed barcode representation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high resolution at each temperature point while covering the full dynamic range through the collection of multiple discrete snapshots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of the resonance spectrum in the form of barcodes at different temperature points. Each barcode is a compressed representation of the spectral information, allowing the system to store and compare multiple high-resolution spectral snapshots without requiring continuous scanning. This copying approach preserves resolution while enabling wide dynamic range measurement.
3Measurement precision
If single-mode tracking is used, then sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to continuous scanning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential temperature information from the complex resonance spectrum by encoding it into a simplified barcode representation. This barcode contains the key spectral features needed for temperature determination but is much simpler to store and compare. By taking out only the essential information and eliminating the need for continuous scanning mechanisms, the system maintains sensitivity while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of the spectral information in barcode form that can be easily stored and compared. These barcode copies retain the temperature-dependent spectral features necessary for sensitive measurement while being much simpler to handle than the full spectral data, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining sensitivity.
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 high-precision, wide-range temperature measurements with enhanced sensitivity and dynamic range, overcoming limitations of single-mode tracking methods.
Implementation Method 1
Light could circulate in a high-quality resonator million of times, thereby significantly enhancing the light-matter interactions
Implementation Method 2
optical whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator sensors... tracking the changes in the resonant wavelength
Implementation Method 3
the temperature dependence of the resonance arises from thermally induced changes in the refractive index and the physical dimensions of the resonator
Implementation Method 4
the temperature dependence of the resonance arises from thermally induced changes in the refractive index and the physical dimensions of the resonator
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for measuring a temperature using an optical whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator are disclosed. The system includes a WGM resonator operatively coupled to a tunable laser source and a detector, as well as a computing device. The computing device is configured to transform a transmission spectrum from the detector into a measured barcode that includes a matrix of values indicative of at least one characteristic of the transmission spectrum. The computing device is further configured to transform the measured barcode into a temperature based on a relative collective shift of the measured barcode from a reference barcode selected from a predetermined library of reference barcodes.