White Cell Mirror Alignment Using Scattering Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-pass absorption cell designs for gas detection are bulky, lack portability, and require complex alignment processes, limiting their use in field applications due to the need for precise alignment of multiple mirrors to achieve efficient light path lengths for sensitive gas species detection.
Innovation Solution
A White cell design with three concave mirrors is improved by using a scattering plate to create a speckle pattern that helps align the mirrors efficiently, utilizing an aperture plate and adjustable alignment mount to maximize light throughput through precise angle adjustments of the mirrors, allowing for a more compact and portable gas detection system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-pass absorption cell designs are used, then light path length is sufficient for sensitive detection, but the system becomes bulky and lacks portability
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate modular components including individual mirrors, aperture plates, and alignment mounts that can be independently adjusted and assembled. This segmentation allows for compact configuration while maintaining the required light path length for sensitive detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are arranged in a nested configuration where multiple reflections occur within a compact volume. The light path is folded back on itself multiple times through strategically positioned mirrors, achieving long effective path length within a small physical footprint.
2Measurement precision
If precise mirror alignment is implemented to maximize light throughput, then detection accuracy improves, but the alignment process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment reference features such as aperture plates with precisely positioned holes and scattering plates are pre-installed in the optical path before final mirror alignment. These reference features provide visual guides that simplify the subsequent alignment process, allowing operators to quickly achieve proper mirror orientation without complex calculation or iterative adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
A scattering plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the laser source and the mirrors. This plate creates a speckle pattern that serves as a visual alignment aid, allowing operators to easily observe and adjust mirror angles to maximize light throughput through the aperture plate holes, thereby simplifying the alignment process while maintaining high precision.
3Volume of moving object
If compact design is implemented to improve portability, then system size is reduced, but alignment precision and light throughput may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror mounting system incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow dynamic alignment adjustment even after the compact cell assembly is constructed. This dynamic adjustability ensures that mirror alignment precision can be optimized during setup and maintained despite the compact configuration, preventing degradation of light throughput due to space constraints.
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 enables a more portable, sensitive, and robust gas detection system with improved light throughput and alignment precision, reducing the size and weight of the absorption cell while maintaining high sensitivity and accuracy in gas species identification.
Implementation Method 1
The diffusor transforms the laser light into a speckled laser light
Implementation Method 2
the inherent property of a concave mirror (or mirrors) is to image this back to the aperture plane
Implementation Method 3
the speckled light reflected off of the mirror is focused on the at least one reflected laser aperture
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to optics used in absorption cell spectrometers. The absorption cell includes a plurality of mirrors arranged in a manner such that a detection light traverses multiple passes through the fluid within the absorption cell. In some implementations, the detection light is reflected by the plurality of mirrors to form optical paths in more than one plane. In some implementations, the orientation of the mirrors are aligned with specific orientations to provide the desired optical path to the detection light. In one or more embodiments, an alignment apparatus can be used to pre-align the mirrors before they are placed within the absorption cell. The alignment apparatus includes an aperture plate and an adjustable mount to mount one or more mirrors. The mirrors are aligned based on reflected images on the aperture plate laser light incident on the mirrors.