JP2010091441A - Light quantity monitoring apparatus and light quantity monitoring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light quantity monitoring apparatus and a light quantity monitoring method capable of suppressing the lowering of light quantity of detection light while suppressing apparatus cost. <P>SOLUTION: The light quantity monitoring apparatus A is equipped with an LED module 1, a spectral diffraction means for spectrally diffracting a part of the light L from the LED module 1 as reference light Lr and a light receiving module 2B for receiving the reference light Lr. The spectral diffraction means is a light guide 4 which permits a part of the light L from the LED module 1 to pass as passing light Lp and has an incident surface 41a receiving the incidence of at least a part of the part other than the passing light Lp in the light L from the LED module 1 and an emitting surface 42a for emitting this light as the reference light Lr. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light amount monitoring apparatus and a light amount monitoring method.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional light quantity monitoring device (see Patent Document 1). The light quantity monitoring device X shown in the figure is incorporated in the reaction detection device, and has a function of irradiating the microchip 91 loaded in the reaction detection device with light for inspection and receiving transmitted light. And a function of monitoring the amount of the inspection light by receiving a part of the inspection light as reference light. The microchip 91 is configured to be able to inject or hold a specimen such as blood, a diluent, and a reagent, for example, and a fine channel and a detection unit 91a connected to the channel are formed on a transparent base material. The detection unit 91a is a field for optically detecting the degree of reaction after reacting each other by, for example, mixing a specimen diluted to a predetermined concentration and a reagent.

  The light quantity monitoring device X includes an LED module 92, a mirror 93, a lens 94, a beam splitter 95, a reference light receiving module 96, and a detection light receiving module 97. The LED module 92 is a module in which an LED is built, and emits light having a predetermined wavelength. The light from the LED module 92 is reflected by the mirror 93 and then collected by the lens 94. The collected light is split by the beam splitter 95 into reference light traveling toward the reference light receiving module 96 and detection light traveling toward the detection unit 91a. The detection light transmitted through the detection unit 91 a is received by the detection light receiving module 97. By analyzing the signal from the detection light receiving module 97, the degree of reaction in the detection unit 91a can be detected. On the other hand, the luminance of the reference light is detected by monitoring the electromotive force of the reference light receiving module 96. Thereby, it is possible to confirm that the LED module 92 emits light with an appropriate luminance, and the input power to the LED module 92 can be feedback-controlled. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent inappropriate detection of the degree of reaction in a state where the amount of light from the LED module 92 is insufficient.

  However, when the light from the LED module 92 is split by the beam splitter 95, the amount of detection light directed toward the detection unit 91a is reduced. In order to accurately detect the degree of reaction in the detection unit 91a, it is preferable that the amount of the detection light is large. In this respect, the light quantity monitoring device X still has room for improvement. In addition, the beam splitter 95 and the reference light receiving module 96 need to be arranged at accurate positions so that the reference light receiving module 96 can appropriately receive the reference light. Furthermore, the beam splitter 95 contributes to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the light quantity monitoring device X. In addition to the above, the reference light acquisition method includes a distribution method of measurement light and reference light using a bundle fiber, but has a drawback of being expensive and large in scale.

JP 2007-225555 A

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a light amount monitoring device and a light amount monitoring method capable of suppressing a decrease in the light amount of detection light while suppressing device cost. And

  The light quantity monitoring device provided by the first aspect of the present invention comprises: a light emitting means; a spectroscopic means for splitting a part of light from the light emitting means as reference light; and a light receiving means for receiving the reference light. A light amount monitoring device, wherein the spectroscopic means passes a part of the light from the light emitting means as passing light, and at least a part of the light from the light emitting means other than the passing light is provided. It is characterized by being a light guide having an incident surface for incidence and an emission surface for emitting this light as the reference light.

  According to such a configuration, in the process of splitting the light from the light emitting means into the passing light and the reference light, the amount of the passing light hardly decreases. Therefore, for example, when the light quantity monitoring device is applied to an analyzer that performs analysis using light, the sample can be analyzed more accurately. In addition, the light guide body can easily have a significantly smaller installation space than, for example, a beam splitter in the prior art. Therefore, it is suitable for downsizing the light quantity monitoring device. Moreover, since the light guide is a kind of general prism, it can be manufactured at a lower cost than, for example, a beam splitter.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is formed with a passing window for allowing the passing light to pass therethrough. According to such a structure, a desired area | region among the lights from the said light emission means can be passed as said passing light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the passage window is formed as a groove extending in the traveling direction of light from the light emitting means at one end of the light guide, and the incident surface is formed of the passage window. It is a surrounding shape. According to such a configuration, an area suitable for monitoring the amount of the passing light among the light from the light emitting means can be dispersed as the reference light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the passage window allows a portion of the light from the light-emitting means to be maximized as the passage light. According to such a configuration, for example, blood can be analyzed more accurately using this passing light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the light emitting means continuously emits light in the incident surface other than the passing light of the light from the light emitting means, the temporal light amount increase / decrease is described above. The light quantity correlated light that is directly proportional to the passing light is made incident. According to such a configuration, even if the light amount distribution of the light from the light emitting means fluctuates with time, the light amount of the reference light is always proportional to the light amount of the passing light. Thereby, the light quantity of the said passage light can always be monitored correctly.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the light emitting means continuously emits light in the incident surface other than the passing light of the light from the light emitting means, the temporal light amount increase / decrease is described above. Non-correlated light that is not directly proportional to the passing light is not incident.

  In preferable embodiment of this invention, the said light guide is provided with the shielding film which covers the area | region away from the said passage window rather than the said entrance plane. According to such a configuration, it is possible to more accurately monitor the amount of the passing light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is provided with a reflective surface that reflects light incident from the incident surface in a direction away from the passage window. According to such a configuration, the light incident on the incident surface travels in a direction away from the passing light. Thus, it is possible to avoid forcing the light receiving means to be disposed at a position unfairly close to another light receiving means for receiving the passing light, for example.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is translucent capable of diffusing light incident from the incident surface throughout the light guide. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a reduction in the amount of light of the passing light due to spectroscopy while reducing the size and cost of the light amount monitoring device.

  In the light quantity monitoring method provided by the second aspect of the present invention, a part of the light from the light emitting means is dispersed as reference light by the spectroscopic means, and the reference light is received by the light receiving means, whereby the light emitting means A method of monitoring the amount of light of the light source, wherein the spectroscopic means allows a part of the light from the light emitting means to pass as passing light, and of the light from the light emitting means other than the passing light. It is characterized by using a light guide having an incident surface on which at least a part is incident and an emission surface from which this light is emitted as the reference light.

  According to such a configuration, in the process of splitting the light from the light emitting means into the passing light and the reference light, the amount of the passing light hardly decreases. Therefore, for example, when the light quantity monitoring method is applied to an analysis method that performs analysis using light, the sample can be analyzed more accurately. In addition, the light guide body can easily have a significantly smaller installation space than, for example, a beam splitter in the prior art. Therefore, it is suitable for miniaturization of the light quantity monitoring device used for the light quantity monitoring method. Moreover, since the light guide is a kind of general prism, it can be manufactured at a lower cost than, for example, a beam splitter.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is formed with a passing window for allowing the passing light to pass therethrough. According to such a structure, a desired area | region among the lights from the said light emission means can be passed as said passing light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the passage window is formed as a groove extending in the traveling direction of light from the light emitting means at one end of the light guide, and the incident surface is formed of the passage window. It is a surrounding shape. According to such a configuration, an area suitable for monitoring the amount of the passing light among the light from the light emitting means can be dispersed as the reference light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the light from the light emitting means that has the maximum light quantity is passed through the passage window as the passage light. According to such a configuration, for example, blood can be analyzed more accurately using this passing light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the increase / decrease of the temporal light amount is directly proportional to the passing light when the light emitting means continuously emits light other than the passing light of the light from the light emitting means. The light quantity correlated light is incident on the incident surface. According to such a configuration, even if the light amount distribution of the light from the light emitting means fluctuates with time, the light amount of the reference light is always proportional to the light amount of the passing light. Thereby, the light quantity of the said passage light can always be monitored correctly.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the light emitting unit continuously emits light other than the passing light of the light from the light emitting unit, the temporal increase or decrease in the amount of light is not directly proportional to the passing light. Light amount uncorrelated light is not incident on the incident surface.

  In preferable embodiment of this invention, the said light guide is provided with the shielding film which covers the area | region away from the said passage window rather than the said entrance plane. According to such a configuration, it is possible to more accurately monitor the amount of the passing light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is provided with a reflective surface that reflects light incident from the incident surface in a direction away from the passage window. According to such a configuration, the light incident on the incident surface travels in a direction away from the passing light. Thus, it is possible to avoid forcing the light receiving means to be disposed at a position unfairly close to another light receiving means for receiving the passing light, for example.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light guide is translucent capable of diffusing light incident from the incident surface throughout the light guide. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the amount of light of the passing light due to spectroscopy while reducing the size and cost of the light amount monitoring device used in the light amount monitoring method.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a light amount monitoring apparatus according to the present invention. The light quantity monitoring apparatus A1 of this embodiment is incorporated in an analysis apparatus that realizes an analysis method using light, and includes an LED module 1, a detection light reception module 2A, a reference light reception module 2B, a lens 3, and a light guide. A body 4 is provided. The analyzer is loaded with a cartridge 5 for analyzing specimens such as blood, saliva, urine and the like.

  The LED module 1 is a light emitting means of the light quantity monitoring device A1, and includes an LED chip as a light source. This LED chip emits light L having a predetermined wavelength.

  The lens 3 is disposed between the LED module 1 and the light guide 4. The lens 3 condenses the light L from the LED module 1 so as to have a spot diameter suitable for analysis. In the present embodiment, the spot diameter is approximately 0.6 mm. The distance between the lens 3 and the cartridge 5 is 9 to 10 mm.

  The light guide 4 is a spectroscopic unit that splits the light L into the passing light Lp and the reference light Lr. The passing window 4a, the upper surface 41, the lower surface 42, the inclined surfaces 43 and 44, the incident surface 41a, the emitting surface 42a, and the shielding. A film 48 and a reflective film 49 are provided. In FIG. 1, the reflective film 49 is omitted for convenience of understanding. The light guide 4 is made of a transparent material such as polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA) or glass, and has a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the dimension in the direction in which the upper surface 41 and the lower surface 42 are separated is remarkably small. . The inclined surfaces 43 and 44 are separated from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens 3, and the lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens 3 as it is farther from the lens 3 in the optical axis direction of the lens 3. The inclination is such that it is separated from 3. In the present embodiment, the light guide 4 has a thickness of about 2 mm, a width of about 10 mm, and a length of about 30 mm. However, it may be made smaller or larger in consideration of the position of the detection light receiving module 2A and the reference light receiving module 2B and the spot size of the passing light Lp. The thickness and shape of the light guide 4 are not limited to those described above, but a thin shape of about 2 mm is preferable, and it is desirable that the inclined surfaces 43 and 44 as reflecting surfaces can be formed.

  A passage window 4 a is formed at the end of the light guide 4 on the inclined surface 43 side. The passage window 4 a is a groove having a semicircular cross section that extends in the optical axis direction of the lens 3. The radius of the passing window 4a is, for example, 0.5 mm. In the present embodiment, the center of the semicircular cross section of the passage window 4 a is arranged so as to coincide with the optical axis of the lens 3.

  The reflective film 49 is formed so as to cover each of the upper surface 41 and a part of the lower surface 42 and the inclined surfaces 43 and 44. The reflection film 49 is an aluminum thin film formed by, for example, aluminum vapor deposition, and is used to reflect the light traveling in the light guide 4 so as not to leak out of the light guide 4. The shielding film 48 is overlaid on a portion of the reflective film 49 formed on the upper surface 41, and is, for example, a black resin thin film. Note that only the reflective film 49 may be provided and the shielding film 48 may not be provided. In this case, the reflective film 49 also functions as the shielding film 48. Alternatively, only the shielding film 48 may be provided and the reflective film 49 may not be provided. In this case, reflection of light in the light guide 4 described later is performed by total reflection due to a difference in refractive index between the light guide 4 and air.

  A portion of the shielding film 48 and the reflection film 49 formed on the upper surface 41 has a shape and size that exposes a half-doughnut-shaped region surrounding the passage window 4a of the upper surface 41. A region of the upper surface 41 exposed from the shielding film 48 and the reflective film 49 is an incident surface 41a. The radius of the outer edge of the incident surface 41a is, for example, 1 mm. The reflective film 49 exposes a region near the inclined surface 44 in the lower surface 42. This exposed area is an emission surface 42a.

  The detection light receiving module 2 </ b> A is disposed on the optical axis of the lens 3 and is disposed below the passage window 4 a of the light guide 4. The detection light receiving module 2A receives the detection light Ld that has passed through the cartridge 5 and outputs a signal for analysis of the specimen. For example, the detection light receiving module 2A includes a PIN photodiode. In the present embodiment, the detection light receiving module 2 </ b> A is disposed 1 to 2 mm below the light guide 4.

  The reference light receiving module 2 </ b> B is disposed below the emission surface 42 a of the light guide 4. The reference light receiving module 2 </ b> B receives the reference light Lr emitted from the light guide 4, thereby outputting a signal for monitoring the light amount of the light L. Depending on the amount of light L obtained from the output signal from the reference light receiving module 2B, processing such as correcting the analysis result or feedback controlling the input power of the LED module 1 is performed. In the present embodiment, the reference light receiving module 2 </ b> B is disposed 1 to 2 mm below the light guide 4.

  A light amount monitoring method using the light amount monitoring apparatus A1 will be described below by taking an analysis of a sample held in the cartridge 5 as an example.

  The cartridge 5 is a place where a specimen such as blood, saliva, urine or the like is reacted with a reagent after being diluted to a predetermined concentration as necessary, and includes a case 51 and a substrate 52. The case 51 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin, and has fine grooves and recesses. The substrate 52 is a plate-like member made of a transparent resin such as PET, and is attached to the case 51. The grooves and recesses formed in the case 51 are covered with a substrate 52 to form a fine flow path and a reaction tank 53. In the reaction tank 53, the sample diluted as necessary and the reagent are held in a reacted state.

  In order to detect the reaction result in the reaction tank 53, light L is emitted from the LED module 1. The wavelength of the light L is determined by the LED chip built in the LED module 1. In addition, due to the thermal characteristics of the LED chip and the like, the light quantity distribution of the light L often inevitably varies with time during the period when the LED module 1 is lit. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the radius D centered on the optical axis of the lens 3 and the relative light amount IL at a position corresponding to the upper surface 41. In this figure, the state in which the change in the light amount distribution of the light L is most noticeable is represented as two lights L1 and L2. The relative light quantity IL is a relative value with the light quantity on the optical axis (D = 0) of the light L1 as 100%. Both of the lights L1 and L2 exhibit a light amount distribution that approximates a Gaussian distribution in which the relative light amount IL is maximum at D = 0. The relative light amount IL at D = 0 is larger for the light L1 than for the light L2. On the other hand, the light L2 has a wider light amount distribution than the light L1, and the light amount of the light L2 exceeds the light amount of the light L1 in the region of D = ± 2-4.

  In the present invention, an area of the light L that is closer to the optical axis (D = 0) than the intersection of the lights L1 and L2 is referred to as a light quantity correlated light Ly. Further, a region of the light L that is farther from the optical axis than the intersection of the lights L1 and L2 is referred to as a light amount uncorrelated light Ln. That is, the light quantity correlated light Ly is a light quantity fluctuation that is always in direct proportion to the maximum light quantity portion on the optical axis of the light L, and the light quantity uncorrelated light Ln is the maximum light quantity of the light L on the optical axis. The variation in light quantity is always inversely proportional to the portion.

  In the present embodiment, the passing window 4a allows the region of D = 0 to 0.5 mm including the maximum light amount portion of the light L to pass as the passing light Lp. After passing through the case 51 of the cartridge 5, the passing light Lp passes through the reacted sample accommodated in the reaction tank 53 and is emitted as detection light Ld. The detection light Ld is received by the detection light receiving module 2A.

  The region of D = 0.5 to 1.0 in the light L is incident on the incident surface 41a. This region is a region obtained by removing a region closer to the light amount uncorrelated light Ln from the region obtained by removing the passing light Lp from the light amount correlated light Ly. The light travels in the light guide 4 while being reflected by the reflection film 49 covering the upper surface 41, the lower surface 42, and the inclined surfaces 43 and 44. Then, this light is emitted as reference light Lr from the emission surface 42a and is received by the reference light receiving module 2B.

  The region of D> 1 in the light L is shielded by the shielding film 48 and therefore does not enter the incident surface 41a. This region includes a region close to the light amount uncorrelated light Ln in the light amount correlated light Ly and the light amount uncorrelated light Ln.

  The amount of the reference light Lr can be monitored by the output signal of the reference light receiving module 2B. For example, the output signal of the detection light receiving module 2A is corrected according to the amount of the reference light Lr. Alternatively, the input power to the LED module 1 is feedback-controlled using the output signal of the reference light receiving module 2B indicating the amount of the reference light Lr as a feedback signal. Thereby, the reaction state in the reaction tank 53 can be detected more accurately, and the sample can be analyzed appropriately.

  Next, the operation of the light quantity monitoring device A1 and the light quantity monitoring method using the same will be described.

  According to the present embodiment, the passing light Lp directly enters the cartridge 5 after exiting the lens 3. That is, in the process of splitting the light L into the passing light Lp and the reference light Lr, the amount of the passing light Lp hardly decreases. Therefore, the reaction state of the reaction tank 53 can be detected more clearly, and the sample can be analyzed more accurately.

  By providing the passing window 4a, a desired region suitable for detection in the light L can be passed as the passing light Lp. Since the maximum amount of light L is included in the passing light Lp, it is suitable for accurately analyzing the specimen.

  By making the incident surface 41a a shape surrounding the passage window 4a, a region suitable for monitoring the amount of the passage light Lp in the light L can be dispersed as the reference light Lr. In particular, by setting the shape, size, and arrangement of the incident surface 41a so that the light quantity correlated light Ly can be incident, even if the light quantity distribution of the light L fluctuates with time, the light quantity of the reference light Lr passes through the light. It is always proportional to the light quantity of Lp. Thereby, the light quantity of the passage light Lp can always be monitored accurately. Furthermore, the light quantity non-correlated light Ln is not incident on the incident surface 41a by the shielding film 48, so that the light quantity of the passing light Lp can be monitored more accurately.

  By providing the inclined surface 43, the light incident on the incident surface 41a travels in a direction away from the optical axis of the lens 3. As a result, it is possible to avoid being forced to dispose the detection light receiving module 2A and the reference light receiving module 2B in positions that are improperly close to each other. Further, by providing the inclined surface 44, the detection light receiving module 2A and the reference light receiving module 2B can be arranged in the same direction. This is suitable for rational component arrangement, for example, in which the detection light receiving module 2A and the reference light receiving module 2B are mounted on the same substrate.

  The light guide 4 has a significantly smaller installation space than, for example, the beam splitter 95 in the prior art. Therefore, it is suitable for reducing the light amount monitoring device A1, and thus the analyzer. The light guide 4 is a kind of prism made of PMMA or glass, which is a general material, and can be manufactured at a lower cost than the beam splitter 95, for example.

  4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the light quantity monitoring apparatus according to the present invention. In this figure, the same or similar elements as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment. The light quantity monitoring device A2 of the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in the configuration of the light guide 4.

  In the present embodiment, the light guide 4 diffuses the light incident from the incident surface 41a toward the entire surface and emits the light from substantially the entire surface, for example, milky white translucent. It is comprised using the rectangular plate-shaped member which consists of resin. Such a rectangular plate member can be formed, for example, by appropriately cutting an Acrysandy board (milky white) manufactured by Acrysandy Co., Ltd. The light guide 4 is formed with a passage window 4a having a semicircular cross section, as in the above-described embodiment. The light guide 4 is formed with a shielding film 48 so as to expose portions constituting the incident surface 41a, the emission surface 42a, and the passage window 4a, and to cover other regions.

  Also according to such an embodiment, the passing light Lp can be appropriately monitored. The light guide 4 has a function of diffusing light inside thereof, so that the entrance surface 41a and the exit surface 42a can be provided at arbitrary positions without providing the reflection film 49 and the inclined surfaces 43 and 44 in the above-described embodiment. Can be set. Further, there is an advantage that the shape of the light guide 4 itself can be easily made into a shape suitable for miniaturization of the light quantity monitoring device A2, for example. Further, even though the reference light Lr is slightly attenuated by passing through the light guide 4, the passing light Lp is hardly attenuated by the spectrum. Therefore, it is preferable to detect the reaction of the specimen in the reaction tank 53 of the cartridge 5 more accurately.

  The light quantity monitoring device and the light quantity monitoring method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific configuration of each part of the light amount monitoring apparatus and the light amount monitoring method according to the present invention can be varied in design in various ways.

  The passage window 4a has a circular cross section, which is suitable for passing a desired region of the light L coming from the general LED module 1 and the lens 3, but is not limited thereto. Any shape that allows Lp to pass therethrough may be used. For example, the light guide 4 may have a shape, size, and arrangement that can block all of the light L, and the light guide 4 may be provided with a through hole to form the passage window 4a. The incident surface 41a is preferably shaped to surround the passage window 4a, but is not limited thereto. Although it is preferable that only the light quantity correlated light Ly is incident on the incident surface 41a, a configuration in which, for example, a part of the light quantity uncorrelated light Ln is incident in a range in which the light quantity of the passing light Lp can be appropriately monitored. . Furthermore, the passing light Lp may be allowed to pass by setting the position of the end of the light guide 4 with respect to the light L without providing the passing window 4a.

  The light guide as the spectroscopic means in the present invention is not limited to the light guide 4 separated from the cartridge 5, and for example, by appropriately setting the material and structure of the cartridge 5, a part of the cartridge 5 is used. The light guide referred to in the present invention may be configured as described above.

It is a perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment of the light quantity monitoring apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line | wire of FIG. It is a graph which shows light quantity distribution of the light L. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the light quantity monitoring apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line of FIG. It is a system block diagram which shows an example of the conventional light quantity monitoring apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

A1, A2 Light quantity monitoring device L Light Lp Directly passing light Ly Light quantity correlated light Ln Light quantity uncorrelated light Lr Reference light 1 LED module (light emitting means)
2A Detection light receiving module 2B Reference light receiving module (light receiving means)
3 Lens 4 Light guide (spectral means)
5 Cartridge 4a Passing window 41a Incident surface 42a Outgoing surface 41 Upper surface 42 Lower surface 43 Inclined surface (reflective surface)
44 Inclined surface 48 Shielding film 49 Reflecting film 51 Case 52 Substrate 53 Reaction tank

Claims (18)

Light emitting means;
A spectroscopic means for splitting a part of the light from the light emitting means as reference light;
A light receiving means for receiving the reference light;
A light quantity monitoring device comprising:
The spectroscopic means allows part of the light from the light emitting means to pass as passing light, and at least part of the light from the light emitting means other than the passing light is incident, and the light A light quantity monitoring device, characterized by being a light guide having an emission surface that emits the reference light.   The light quantity monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein a passage window for allowing the passage light to pass through is formed in the light guide. The passage window is formed as a groove extending in the traveling direction of light from the light emitting means at one end of the light guide,
The light quantity monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the incident surface has a shape surrounding the passage window.   The light amount monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the passage window allows a portion of the light from the light emitting means to have a maximum light amount as the passing light.   The incident surface receives light quantity correlated light whose increase or decrease in temporal light is directly proportional to the passing light when the light emitting means continuously emits light other than the passing light of the light from the light emitting means. The light quantity monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The incident surface is a portion of light other than the passing light of the light from the light emitting means that emits non-correlated light whose amount of increase or decrease in time is not directly proportional to the passing light when the light emitting means continuously emits light. The light quantity monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, which is not incident.   The light quantity monitoring device according to claim 6, wherein the light guide is provided with a shielding film that covers a region farther from the passage window than the incident surface.   The light quantity monitoring device according to claim 7, wherein the light guide is provided with a reflection surface that reflects light incident from the incident surface in a direction away from the passage window.   The light quantity monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light guide is translucent capable of diffusing light incident from the incident surface throughout the light guide. A light amount monitoring method for monitoring a light amount from the light emitting unit by dispersing a part of light from the light emitting unit as a reference light by a spectroscopic unit and receiving the reference light by a light receiving unit,
As the spectroscopic means, a part of the light from the light emitting means is passed as passing light, and at least a part of the light from the light emitting means other than the passing light is incident, and the light is A light quantity monitoring method using a light guide having an exit surface that emits the reference light.   The light quantity monitoring method according to claim 10, wherein a passage window for allowing the passage light to pass through is formed in the light guide. The passage window is formed as a groove extending in the traveling direction of light from the light emitting means at one end of the light guide,
The light quantity monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein the incident surface has a shape surrounding the passage window.   The light quantity monitoring method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a portion of the light from the light emitting means that has the maximum light quantity is passed as the passing light through the passage window.   Of the portion of the light from the light emitting means other than the passing light, when the light emitting means continues to emit light, the light intensity correlated light whose increase or decrease in temporal light is directly proportional to the passing light is incident on the incident surface. The light quantity monitoring method according to any one of claims 10 to 13.   Of the portion of the light from the light emitting means other than the passing light, when the light emitting means continues to emit light, the amount of temporally increasing or decreasing light intensity non-correlated light is not directly proportional to the passing light. The light quantity monitoring method according to claim 14, wherein no light is incident.   The light quantity monitoring method according to claim 15, wherein the light guide is provided with a shielding film that covers a region farther from the passage window than the incident surface.   The light quantity monitoring method according to claim 16, wherein the light guide is provided with a reflection surface that reflects light incident from the incident surface in a direction away from the passage window.   The light quantity monitoring method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the light guide is translucent capable of diffusing light incident from the incident surface throughout the light guide.

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