Advanced spectral shaping technology

Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, has developed a proprietary light shaping technique for its spectrometers that balances and smoothes the uneven spectral emission from UV-Vis light sources used for spectroscopy applications. As a result, users can measure light more evenly across a broader spectral region and thus improve signal-to-noise performance. The technique is especially useful for spectral absorbance applications where strong absorbing bands coexist with bands of low signal in the unbalanced spectrum. This low signal level limits the maximum measurable optical density.

Image shows: Ocean Optics' spectral shaping technology is applied to a miniature spectrometer optical design to balance the uneven spectral emission from UV-Vis light sources used for spectroscopy applications.

Traditionally, the spiky spectral output of a lamp - i.e., distinguished by sharp and narrow peaks - of light sources used in spectroscopy is handled at the source itself. But methods such as using mechanical fixtures or optical filters at the light source can result in greater light loss and may be too expensive or impractical, especially when instrument to instrument uniformity is desired. The patented and proprietary Ocean Optics spectral shaping technique modifies the light internal to the spectrometer so that specific wavelengths or wavelength bands are selectively attenuated. This makes it easier to optimise the spectrometer setup in concert with the light source.

The Ocean Optics OEM Engineering Team is now able to apply this novel spectral shaping technique to a variety of OEM applications. This dedicated engineering group provides expert support to help OEM customers bring products to market faster and better optimised to commercial requirements. The team offers complete system design capability for OEMs from supply of fibre assemblies and light sources to sensor coatings and sample holders. The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified and can support both integrated system and sub-system manufacturing needs.

For further information, view website: www.OceanOEM.com or e-mail: info@oceanoptics.eu   Refer to page 245

Labsphere's LMS-3M three meter lamp measurement sphere meets LM-79
and LM-80 standards for complete characterization of large light sources

With lighting technology advancing to include larger and more complex devices, Labsphere has introduced the LMS-3M three meter integrating sphere for complete optical characterization of these larger lamps and luminaries. The sphere complies with IESNA LM-79 and LM-80 standards to deliver accurate and reproducible measurements of any lamp, up to 2m linear lamps and 30cm luminaries.

The three meter lamp measurement integrating sphere accommodates light sources positioned base up, base down, or longitudinally, to easily and efficiently measure virtually any lamp type, including fluorescents up to 2m in length. The design also allows for forward and partial flux measurements of test sources that are board mounted or heat-sinked.

Picture shows: Labsphere's LMS-3M Three Meter Lamp Measurement Sphere.

The larger sphere better integrates light for more reliable testing of a device's photometric and colourimetric performance with measurements of Total Spectral Flux, Luminous Flux, Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT), Colour Rendering Index (CRI), and Chromaticity. Measurement data relies only on the test device's true power, not on the size, shape, or spectral distribution.

The near-Lambertian properties of the sphere's Spectraflect® interior coating provide a uniform dispersion of light that integrates and reduces hotspots better than other available sphere coatings materials. Spectraflect exhibits reflectance values of 98% and is spectrally flat through the visible spectrum for higher optical efficiency on low lumen lamps.

The LMS-3M is designed to measure a variety of lamps and luminaires on the same system with little adjustment. The standard sphere geometry accommodates 4pi measurement, and with optional aperture reducers, can easily be configured for 2pi measurement. Baffled intake and output ports and an ambient air temperature controller maintain and monitor the temperature inside the measurement environment, complying with Energy Star requirements. The new sphere size fully integrates with all Labsphere photometric and spectroradiometric systems and software so current system users may upgrade easily.

The LMS-3M can be customized with the software and accessories to fit testing needs. To speak to an experienced applications engineer about unique applications, send an e-mail to: labsphere@labsphere.com   Refer to page 255 

Thermo Fisher Scientific combines EDS and WDS
with new EBSD option for NORAN System 7 microanalysis
system, enabling enhanced productivity and ease-of use

Thermo Fisher Scientific's QuasOr EBSD, provides an option for its all-in-one microanalysis solution, NORAN System 7. The new system is an industry first combining Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS) capabilities in a single software interface. Thermo Scientific QuasOr is fully integrated into the NORAN System 7 microanalysis platform, ensuring ease-of-use for new users already familiar with EDS and WDS and providing a single interface for the simultaneous collection of EBSD, EDS and WDS. 

NORAN System 7.

EBSD determines the crystal structure of samples in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It also allows crystallographic mapping of complex materials and minerals to characterize its texture, making it invaluable when processing samples such as alloys, ceramics or when analyzing geological materials. While collecting the EBSD data, EDS and WDS can be used to simultaneously determine the chemistry of samples. The Thermo Scientific QuasOr is part of the NORAN System 7 and provides high speed EBSD mapping with simultaneous data collection of WDS and EDS spectral images. This combined system improves speed, productivity and reporting as data collection, analysis and report generation can be done without switching between programs.

Mike Jost, vice president and general manager of molecular spectroscopy and microanalysis Thermo Fisher Scientific, comments: "With the launch of the Thermo Scientific QuasOr EBSD, the industry can for the first time combine the use of EBSD, WDS and EDS platforms in one system. The aim is to enable users to better characterize samples by generating chemical and structural data simultaneously. This new integrated approach to microanalysis is designed to make the technique simpler for scientists to perform and to result in time savings and increased productivity in laboratories worldwide."   

For further information, e-mail: analyze@thermo.com or view website: www.thermoscientific.com\ebsd   Refer to next page

Thermo Scientific's Waterbook shows its diverse portfolio

The Waterbook from Thermo Scientifric, showcases the diverse portfolio of Thermo Scientific laboratory water purification products. The 76-page Waterbook includes a comprehensive introduction to lab water impurities and purification technologies, as well as a section devoted to helping customers identify purification products uniquely designed to support their specific scientific application needs. System specifications and features are outlined in simple-to-read "quick look" comparison tables. Product information is structured for easy identification of system options and either required or optional accessories. A Green section highlights smart system designs, and a support and maintenance section explains validation and calibration options. 

For further information, view website: www.thermo.com/waterbook   Refer to next page

Real-time on-line COD monitor saves money, energy and waste

A true on-line monitor that enables accurate, sensitive, real-time analysis of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is now available from Camlab, one of the UK's leading scientific suppliers and service/repair agents.

The innovative PeCOD® analyser, which is capable of generating a reading every 15 minutes, provides unrivalled analysis data of waste or discharge streams.  On-line, real-time monitoring of processes enables them to be adjusted in real-time to reduce energy use, make downstream treatment more cost effective and prevent waste of expensive ingredients.

Having undergone extensive testing of the laboratory model of the PeCOD® analyser in real life applications over the past 18 months Camlab is now supplying the on-line monitor version of the technology to high profile UK food and beverage manufacturers.

David Miller, Business Development Manager of Camlab Ltd said: "This on-line analyser technology is allowing our customers to accurately monitor their processes in real-time for the first time.  The on-line PeCOD® analyser is enabling these manufacturers to reduce waste, save money and protect the environment.  They are typically seeing payback in a matter of months."

The core of the new on-line technology is the PeCOD® sensor which gives the instrument the ability to analyse samples more accurately than the traditional dichromate method and does not require the use of toxic reagents like mercury and silver salts. The increased sensitivity of the method enables the measurement of clean water samples with low ppm levels of COD.

The sensor consists of a UV-activated titanium dioxide film coupled to an external electrochemical circuit. The high oxidising power of the sensor gives the analyser a significant advantage compared with the traditional dichromate method. The PeCOD™ COD analyser exhaustively oxidises organics, and counts the electrons that are liberated to provide a direct measure of equivalent COD.

For further information, view website: www.camlab.co.uk  Refer to page 257