IP Library Granted Patent US 12704406
Granted Patent B2
US 12704406 · App. 18/575,559 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

UV sensor head and wavelength conversion member for UV sensor head

Inventors: Naoki Ueda (Otsu, JP); Minekazu Takada (Otsu, JP)
Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.
G01J1/58G01J1/0425G01J1/0433G01J1/429
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12704406
App. No.
18/575,559
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A UV sensor head is provided capable of increasing sensing sensitivity. A UV sensor head 1 that converts ultraviolet light into visible light and guides the converted visible light toward an optical fiber 11 includes a wavelength conversion member having an inorganic matrix and phosphor particles dispersed in the inorganic matrix.

Claims (33)

1 . A UV sensor head that converts ultraviolet light into visible light and guides the converted visible light toward an optical fiber, the UV sensor head comprising:

a wavelength conversion member including an inorganic matrix and phosphor particles dispersed in the inorganic matrix; wherein

a content of the phosphor particles in the wavelength conversion member is 0.01 volume % or more and 5 volume % or less.

2 . The UV sensor head according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a tubular body having a first end and a second end facing each other, and a side surface connecting the first end and the second end, the side surface being provided with a cutout portion, wherein

the wavelength conversion member is housed inside the tubular body, and

the wavelength conversion member is arranged to overlap the cutout portion in a plan view.

3 . The UV sensor head according to claim 2 , wherein, when a direction in which the first end and the second end are connected is defined as a lengthwise direction and the first end is an end provided on to the optical fiber side, the wavelength conversion member has a protrusion that protrudes toward the first end side beyond the cutout portion in the lengthwise direction.

4 . The UV sensor head according to claim 3 , wherein a ratio of a length of the protrusion of the wavelength conversion member to a length of the cutout portion in the lengthwise direction (protrusion/cutout portion) is 0.01 or more and 1 or less.

5 . The UV sensor head according to claim 2 , wherein a filter that transmits ultraviolet light and absorbs or reflects visible light is provided on the cutout portion.

6 . The UV sensor head according to claim 5 , wherein the filter is made of glass.

7 . The UV sensor head according to claim 2 , wherein, when the first end is an end provided on the optical fiber side, a rod made of the wavelength conversion member is inserted from the second end side of the tubular body.

8 . The UV sensor head according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a lid member closing the second end side of the tubular body, wherein

the rod is attached to the lid member.

9 . The UV sensor head according to claim 1 , wherein the inorganic matrix is a glass matrix.

10 . A wavelength conversion member for a UV sensor head, the wavelength conversion member being used for a UV sensor head that converts ultraviolet light into visible light and guides the converted visible light toward an optical fiber, the wavelength conversion member comprising:

an inorganic matrix and phosphor particles dispersed in the inorganic matrix; wherein

a content of the phosphor particles in the wavelength conversion member is 0.01 volume % or more and 5 volume % or less.

11 . A UV sensor head that converts ultraviolet light into visible light and guides the converted visible light toward an optical fiber, the UV sensor head comprising:

a wavelength conversion member including an inorganic matrix and phosphor particles dispersed in the inorganic matrix; and

a tubular body having a first end and a second end facing each other, and a side surface connecting the first end and the second end, the side surface being provided with a cutout portion; wherein

the wavelength conversion member is housed inside the tubular body, and

the wavelength conversion member is arranged to overlap the cutout portion in a plan view.

12 . The UV sensor head according to claim 11 , wherein, when a direction in which the first end and the second end are connected is defined as a lengthwise direction and the first end is an end provided on to the optical fiber side, the wavelength conversion member has a protrusion that protrudes toward the first end side beyond the cutout portion in the lengthwise direction.

13 . The UV sensor head according to claim 12 , wherein a ratio of a length of the protrusion of the wavelength conversion member to a length of the cutout portion in the lengthwise direction (protrusion/cutout portion) is 0.01 or more and 1 or less.

14 . The UV sensor head according to claim 11 , wherein a filter that transmits ultraviolet light and absorbs or reflects visible light is provided on the cutout portion.

15 . The UV sensor head according to claim 14 , wherein the filter is made of glass.

16 . The UV sensor head according to claim 11 , wherein, when the first end is an end provided on the optical fiber side, a rod made of the wavelength conversion member is inserted from the second end side of the tubular body.

17 . The UV sensor head according to claim 16 , further comprising:

a lid member closing the second end side of the tubular body, wherein

the rod is attached to the lid member.

18 . The UV sensor head according to claim 11 , wherein the inorganic matrix is a glass matrix.