Ocean Optics HR4000 High-Resolution Spectrometer Achieves Sub-Angstrom Esolution With A 4-inch Focal Length

Incredible Optical Resolution From A Spectrometer This Small?

Dunedin, FL -- The Ocean Optics HR4000 High-resolution spectrometer is the smallest high-resolution spectrometer available -- with a footprint of just 145 mm x 104 mm, it takes up no more bench real estate than a DVD case. Small, yes -- but this cleverly designed miniature spectrometer is a powerful combination of optics and electronics that provides big features including sub-angstrom optical resolution, fast integration times and unmatched user-controlled timing and triggering of the spectrometer and accessories.

The HR4000 has a new 3648-element CCD-array detector from Toshiba and achieves optical resolution to 0.2 Å (FWHM) with a 4-inch focal length, a feature that is normally associated with larger 1-meter focal length systems. Its high-resolution capability makes the HR4000 especially useful for applications where closely aligned spectral features must be resolved, such as wavelength characterization of lasers, absorbance of gases, and determination of elemental atomic emission lines. The HR4000 can be customized for specific applications with hundreds of modular fiber optic accessories.

The spectrometer is responsive from 200-1100 nm, although both spectral range and optical resolution will vary by the user's selection of a diffraction grating (there are 13 options) and an entrance slit (available in widths of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 or 200 microns). Other operating parameters of note are dynamic range of 2.5 x 109 and signal-to-noise of 2500:1 for a single integration period.

The spectrometer's integrated onboard module has 10 user-programmable digital I/O lines for interfacing to other equipment; 13-bit analog input and 9- bit analog output; and a pulse generator for triggering other devices. Users can use the I/Os to flash a lamp, stop/start a process, and send a message/alarm during the spectrometer's integration period. Also significant is the HR4000's very fast spectrometer integration time of 10 microseconds, which provides two significant benefits. First, it allows users to measure transient events like laser pulses. Second, the ability to integrate the spectrometer for a brief duration eliminates many of the saturation problems that can occur in applications with very high light energy.

The HR4000's high-speed electronics have been designed for considerable flexibility in connecting to various modules and external interfaces -- including PCs, PLCs and other embedded controllers -- through USB 2.0 or RS-232 communications. Its USB 2.0 interface enables full spectral scans into memory every 4 milliseconds.

The HR4000 operates via USB interface or via RS-232 interface and a single 5 VDC power supply. Because the HR4000 has an onboard microcontroller, operating parameters can be controlled through software. In fact, wavelength calibration coefficients unique to each spectrometer are programmed into a memory chip right on the spectrometer.

About Ocean Optics
Ocean Optics is a leading supplier of solutions for optical sensing fundamental methods of measuring and interpreting the interaction of light with matter. Our vision is to expand the frontiers of optical sensing and to make it the foundation on which innovative, life-changing ideas are built. We improve many facets of life by enabling medical research, environmental monitoring, entertainment technology and educational applications. Since 1989, Ocean Optics has sold more than 50,000 spectrometers worldwide and has developed an extensive line of complementary technologies that includes chemical sensors, analytical instrumentation, optical fibers and thin films and optics. Ocean Optics is part of the Halma Group of safety and detection companies, a U.K.-based multinational with 2003 sales of over $500 million.

Source: Ocean Optics, Inc.