Design and Realization of Micro Fiber Spectrometers
for Bioluminescence Detecting Systems Stray Light
Detection
Cheng Liang, Chen Yan-ping, Zhu Ruo-bo, Ye Zi, Yu Fei-hong
IEEE Conference Publishing
State key laboratory of Modern Optical Instrument, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
Abstract- The paper concerns about the principle and the
optimizing design method for optical system of micro fiber
spectrometer, which suits for stray light detection of
bioluminescence detecting systems. By choosing
asymmetrical crossed Czerny-Turner (CZ) configuration
as the basic optical structure and selecting system
parameters according to the allowance of systems
aberrations and the dimensions of CCD detector, we
developed a micro fiber spectrometer based on planar
grating with a working wavelength range between 330nm
and 930nm. Systems spectral resolution is up to at least
0.5nm according to actual measurement (50m).
I. INTRODUCTION
Stray light is an important factor that affecting the accuracy
and sensitivity of bioluminescence detecting systems. Stray
light which produced by the excitation procedure of the
fluorescent light and collecting system, maybe badly affect
the performance of the whole system and reduce systems
detecting accuracy. Detection of systems stray light can
qualitatively or quantitatively make its generation principle
and intensity clear, and then we can effectively control or
make up for it. Due to the inconvenience of volume and
operation, traditional spectrometers can hardly make it easy to
detect multi-positions stray light; while micro fiber
spectrometers can easily achieve this by using optical fiber
probes. Though the spectral resolution of micro fiber
spectrometers is lower than that of traditional spectrometers,
they can also satisfy lots of applications in bioluminescence
detecting area. This article concerns about the principle and
optimizing method of micro fiber spectrometers optical
structure design, designed and realized a micro fiber
spectrometer based on asymmetric crossed Czerny-Turner
(CZ) structure [1].
II. DESIGN OF OPTICAL STRUCTURE OF MICRO FIBER
SPECTROMETERS
Presently all the commercial micro fiber spectrometers are
based on reflecting Czerny-Turner imaging structure, which
has two common configurations: symmetric CZ configuration
and asymmetric crossed CZ configuration. Symmetric CZ
0-7803-9774-6/06/$20.00 2006 IEEE
configuration has a similar optical character to Ebert-Fastie
structure [2]. This structure not only can avoid second-time or
multi-time diffraction, but also doesnt need large aperture
sphere mirrors, therefore makes system fabrication easier. The
asymmetric crossed CZ configuration is evolved from the
former, its main aim is to reduce coma, shown as Fig.1.
Incident light introduced by optical fiber, is collimated by the
collimating sphere mirror; collimating light is dispersed by
planar grating, and then imaged onto the detector by the
imaging sphere mirror. The whole system has a small mount
of optical components, is more compact than symmetric CZ
configuration.
Fig.1. Asymmetrical crossed Czerny-Turner configuration
The imaging spectrums position and the spectral resolution
of asymmetric crossed CZ configuration are depending on
each sphere mirrors focal length and their angles to optical
axis. By adjusting two sphere mirrors focal lengths and their
angles to optical axis, most on-axis and off-axis aberrations
can be eliminated, results to a high-grade imaging spectrum.
This configuration can effectively control systems
aberrations, and systems stray light is also constrained by the
crossed light path. If sphere mirrors are replaced by parabolic
mirrors, off-axis sphere aberration can be further eliminated
[3]. Aspherical components are hard to fabricate and install,
while we can also get a pretty high optical resolution [4] by
using sphere mirrors, so presently commercial micro-
spectrometers merely utilize aspherical mirrors. On the other
hand, off-axis aberrations and coma of symmetric CZ
configuration are smaller because the off-axis degree of
imaging light is lower. Theoretically it can get a nicer
imaging spectrum and a higher spectral resolution, but
systems stray light is hard to control because systems optical
path is lack of constrain. There needs a lot of components to
block or reduce stray light, which make system complex and
introduce fabrication and mounting problems. Considering the
advantages of both configurations discussed above,
asymmetric crossed CZ configuration is more suitable for a
compact micro fiber spectrometer with a high spectral
resolution.
III. DESIGN OF MICRO FIBER SPECTROMETERS OPTICAL
PARAMETERS
As shown in Fig.1, micro fiber spectrometer is consisted of
optical fiber, slit, collimating mirror, planar grating, imaging
mirror and the CCD detector. When optical system and
detecting system are fixed, the spectral resolution of micro
fiber spectrometer is depending on grating constant and the
size of incident slit. The fewer the grating constant and the
smaller the incident slit, the higher the spectral resolution.
Suitable grating constant should be selected according to
micro fiber spectrometers actual application and pre-
designed spectral resolution. Under the condition that incident
light power is enough, the width of the incident slit can be
minimized to get a high spectral resolution. The design
method of each optical component is discussed following in
detail.
A. Choice of gratings
Grating is the dispersion component of micro-spectrometer,
which directly affects systems spectral resolution. The choice
of gratings is depending on spectrometers working
wavelength range and pre-designed spectral resolution. If
system relative aperture and the length of imaging spectrum
are preconfigured, the width of micro fiber spectrometers
working wavelength range lies on grating constant and
starting working wavelength. As grating equation (1)
demonstrates, if the length of the imaging spectrum is fixed,
spectrometers working wavelength range is narrower when
grating constant is smaller or, starting working wavelength is
greater or spectral level is higher.
d (sini + sin ) = k , k = 0,1,2... (1)
To get gently changing high grating diffraction efficiency
curve throughout the working wavelength of the spectrometer,
planar gratings used in micro fiber spectrometers are blazed
diffraction gratings or holographic gratings. Holographic
gratings diffraction efficiency curve are higher and change
gently; also they have less stray light so they can offer nicer
dispersion quality. Holographic gratings cost more than planar
blazed diffraction gratings, which can converge most light
power to some pre-designed spectral level by controlling the
angle of etch surface, and the diffraction efficiency curves
reach the max point at their blazing wavelengths. Gratings
with two and three blazing wavelengths can get more gently
and high diffraction efficiency curves in like manner. This
further improves the dispersion quality of the gratings.
Normally the blazed wavelength of common blazed grating is
determined by the empirical equation (2). B stands for blazed
wavelength, k is the spectral level.
2 2
B < < B , k = 1,2,3... (2)
2k + 1 2k 1
B. Design of collimating mirror
Collimating mirrors focal length and aperture are
depending on systems relative aperture and systems
aberration allowance. Micro-spectrometers utilize optical
fibers to introduce light, incident lights power is limited
because the core is very small, thus the coupling efficiency of
optical fiber is low. Bigger relative aperture enhances
systems ability of collecting light, makes micro fiber
spectrometers more sensitive to low power light. But this will
increase systems sphere aberration and stray light, introduce
more coma and astigmatism, which lead to the decrease of
imaging spectrums quality and systems spectral resolution.
On the other hand, if relative aperture is too small, the system
cant get enough incident light power.
In the beginning of design, collimating mirrors sphere
aberration and Rayleigh criterion are introduced as the design
criterion of collimating mirrors relative aperture. Systems F-
number is represented as: F # = f / D , Ws is the wavefront
aberration of collimating mirroras shown in equation (3).
( y max ) 4
Ws (max) = (3)
8r 3
According to Rayleigh criterion, we derive the following
equation:
( ymax)4
(4)
3 4
8r
In (4), r represents radius of curvature of collimating mirror,
which equals to 2f; while ymax is half aperture of sphere
mirror, D/2.
Based on (3) and (4), the relationship between collimating
mirrors parameters and systems relative aperture can be
derived as shown below:
f 256 ( f # ) 4
(5)
D 256 ( f # ) 3
So far has been discussed, systems aberration allowance,
incident light power, detecting system and systems volume
should be considered to determine systems relative aperture
and collimating mirrors parameters.
C. Design of imaging mirror
Focal length of imaging mirror is the connection between
optical structure and detecting system. CCD detector is
widely used in visible light bands detection [5], because of
its high signal-to-noise ratio, high sensitivity and excellent
linearity. TCD1304AP CCD detector produced by Toshiba is
applied in our micro fiber spectrometer system. This detector
has 3648 pixels; the dimensions of the pixels are
8m200m, so the length of total light sensor is 29.1mm. In
the design procedure, the focal length of imaging mirror
should be well controlled to let imaging spectrums length
and light sensors length match, to guarantee pixel resolution
at utmost.
 Based on the discussion above, the focal length f of
imaging mirror can be determined by the working wavelength
range [1, 2], and the length of imaging spectrum pre-
designed. These three parameters have the following
relationship:

2 / d 1 / d (6)
L = f
1 ( / d )2 1 (1 / d )2
2
L is spectrums length on the Gaussian imaging plane, d
stands for grating constant. Once working wavelength range
of micro fiber spectrometer and the grating parameters are
fixed, the focal length of imaging mirror can be determined
by the length of detectors light sensor. Actually, ray incidents
on the imaging mirror slantways, so actual imaging spectrum Fig.2. Simulation chart of imaging spectrum
is tilt. f shown in (6) stands for tangential focal length, The left chart is imaging surfaces illuminance map, and
the right chart is irradiance map for all the sample
f cos( ) [6], while is FOV angle. The focal length
wavelengths on CCDs light sensor surface. Left chart shows
derived from the above equation is just a reference value, that this designs imaging spots are of good quality; the sizes
more precious value should be considered further due to of imaging spots changes linearly and slowly throughout the
actual imaging plane. whole wavelength range. Imaging spectrum also has good
Furthermore, the apertures of imaging mirror, collimating linearity which demonstrates that systems coma and
mirror and the grating should be set to ensure that the system astigmatism are well eliminated. The right chart shows that
can get maximum light power utilization which leads to nicer imaging spots power of each wavelength are nearly the same
imaging. Systems volume and mechanical assembly also throughout the working wavelength range when neglecting
should be considered; too large apertures cause a waste of CCDs efficiency. This means the systems optical structure
space and too small apertures cause a waste of light power. has remarkable imaging quality, thereby ensures a high
Therefore compromise should be made to fulfill systems spectral resolution.
optical and mechanical structure when we determine each
component aperture. V. PERFORMANCE TESTING OF ACTUAL SYSTEM
IV. DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF INTEGRAL SYSTEM HG-1 wavelength calibration lamp made by OceanOptics,
Inc. is used to test systems actual spectrum. This lamp can
According to the design method discussed above and the emit all the characteristic spectrum lines of mercury and
selected CCD detector, we developed a micro fiber argon between 253nm and 922nm. The micro-spectrometer is
spectrometer based on asymmetric crossed CZ configuration set up with a 600L/mm planar grating with a working range
with a working wavelength range between 330nm and 930nm. between 300nm and 1000nm and its blazed wavelength is
Systems parameters are listed in the following table; 500nm. Systems working range is between 330nm and
systems optical structure drawing is shown in Fig.1. 930nm; incident band pass filter and order sorting filter are
Table I
System Parameters of Micro Fiber Spectrometer also applied. The slit is represented by incidence optical fiber
Optical bench Asymmetric crossed Czerny-Turner with 50um core size. Actual measured spectrum of our
Focal lengths 45mm input,70mm output spectrometer is shown in Fig.3.
Many kinds of blazed diffraction gratings or
holographic gratings with different blazed
Grating
wavelengths are available depending on actual
demands of applications
Slit 5,10,20um etc wide slit or fiber(no slit)
Incident light band pass filter(optional), order
Filter
sorting filter
Detecting circuit Toshiba TCD1304AP linear CCD array with 3648
system pixels, USB2.0 interface
SMA905 to 0.22 numerical aperture single strand
Others
optical fiber, cylinder lens (optional)
Put all the optical and mechanical parameters into Tracepro
to execute ray tracing. Setting sample wavelengths between
330-930nm with an interval of 40nm. After ray tracing, the
simulation drawing of imaging spectrum is shown in Fig.2.
Fig.3. Actual measured spectrum of HG-1 lamps characteristic spectral
lines between 330-930nm
Fig.3 shows the testing system gets a pretty high spectral
resolution and excellent spectral imaging character throughout
the working range. The broadenings of spectral lines are very
small and imaging spectrum has a nice symmetrical character.
The figure shows that 577nm and 579nm spectral lines of
mercury can easily be identified, which means spectral
resolution of this system is up to at least 0.5nm. This spectral
resolution can fulfill lots of applications especially in
bioluminescence detecting systems. If smaller size slit or
grating with smaller grating constant is applied, this system
can get an even higher spectral resolution.
VI. CONCLUSION
This paper concludes the design method of micro fiber
spectrometers optical system based on actual system design.
Software simulation and actual spectrum test proved that the
system is an excellent micro fiber spectrometer with high
spectral resolution and very little system stray light. It can be
applied to stray light testing of bioluminescence detecting
systems and many other spectral detecting systems. On the
other hand, although present system effectively controls coma,
astigmatism and other aberrations, spectral resolution is still
reduced by the residual aberrations. To receive a higher
resolution, parabolic mirrors can be applied to take place of
sphere mirrors to further reduce off-axis aberrations, or
cylinder lens can be used to improve systems spectral
resolution by increasing systems light efficiency. It is
believed that micro fiber spectrometers will widely applied to
more fields along with the increase of its spectral resolution.
REFERENCES
[1] Christopher Palmer, Diffraction Grating Handbook, Spectra-Physics,
5th edition, pp.68-69.
[2] Wu Guo-an, The design of spectral instruments, Science Press,
pp.185-187, 1978.
[3] Lin Zhong, Fan Shi-fu, Spectral instruments, Mechanical and
Industrial Press, pp.121-126,1988.
[4] OceanOptics, Inc, USB4000 OEM Datasheet, OceanOptics, Inc.
2006.
[5] Tang Yi, Multi-channel spectrometers based on linear CCD,
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 2002:17-24.
[6] Bi Shi-zhang, The research on the real time spectral technology and
instruments, Nankai University, 2000:18-20.