Ocean Optics - a Halma PR news blog

Spectroscopy Leader Opens its Doors to Teachers June 17, 2008
Dunedin, Florida (May 8, 2008) – Ocean Optics is hosting an open house for high school educators at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida, on June 17, 2008 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (GMT-5).

Founded by former University of Florida researchers nearly 20 years ago, Ocean Optics continues to be strong advocates of education and scientific discovery in the community.

The free event will allow local science teachers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience using spectrometers in chemistry, physics and biology instruction. Experiments will be conducted to demonstrate the fundamental principles of absorbance, Beer’s Law and kinetics, using Ocean Optics spectrometers and software.

Lunch will be provided and attendees will receive a free optical fiber as well as a copy of the company’s Applications in Spectroscopy curriculum – a $200 value.

“Our goal is to help educators bring excitement back into the classroom,” says event host, Monde Qhobosheane (Dr. Q). “This is an opportunity for us to advocate for teachers and pupils alike by giving them the tools they need to inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers.”

Those interested in attending this free event can obtain information at www.spectroscopy101.com, by calling Ocean Optics at 727-733-2447 or by emailing education@oceanoptics.com.

Two-Day Learning Conference for Science Teachers June 18-19, 2008
Dunedin, Florida (May 1, 2008) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature spectroscopy, has announced a two-day learning conference for science educators to be held June 18-19, 2008 at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

The conference is part of the company’s Spectroscopy 101 (www.spectroscopy101.com) learning program, a structured guide that leads educators through the use of Ocean Optics spectrometers by conducting lab experiments in chemistry, physics and biology.  The Education Division of Ocean Optics is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists with curricula that brings excitement and creativity back into the science classroom experience.

Learning conference attendees will be introduced to the basics of spectrometers, spectroscopy software, optical-sensing technologies, and principles such as Beer’s Law, pH measurement and kinetic measurements.

Additionally, attendees will receive a full conference manual with experiments, a SpectraSuite software site license and a 10% discount off any Ocean Optics spectrometer.

The event is co-sponsored by Vernier Software & Technology, publishers of Logger Pro data collection software and is presented by Monde Qhobosheane, Ph.D., known industry-wide as Dr. Q.  Registration for the full conference is only $99.  Additional information and registration details can be obtained at www.spectroscopy101.com, by calling 727-733-2447 or by emailing education@oceanoptics.com.

Color changer produces even deeper blues and more robust reds for dramatic lighting effects
Dunedin, Florida (April 22, 2008) – To meet the increasing demand for more dramatic and saturated lighting options, the SeaChanger Color Engine product line has added the Studio Dichroics Series CYMG hexachromic color changer.  Compatible with all beam-shaping ETC Source Four accessories, the SeaChanger Studio produces rich, vibrant lighting hues for broadcast and film, club and corporate event lighting, and subtractive gobo mixing applications. 

The four-filter CYMG color engine attaches to the reflector housing of any Source Four Ellipsoidal and uses robust dichroic filter technology to create a virtually endless palette of stable, reproducible colors that do not shift or fade with time or temperature.  Color transitions from clear to 100% saturation are possible in less than one second.

The SeaChanger Studio’s patterned filters allow users to control color, intensity and saturation with unprecedented levels of precision.  Users can configure filters in up to 4 billion combinations to create a nearly infinite variety of colors, with an emphasis on deeper blues and truer reds.  The deeper colors are ideal for creating impact for all in-studio and broadcast applications.  The extra saturation is especially useful for modern theater, concert series and event production, where lighting designers are constantly challenged to create more spectacular effects.

The filters have a higher transmission efficiency than gels and other filter materials, and their resistance to temperature and humidity eliminates the need for noisy fans that may interfere with production audio.  Each SeaChanger is a self-contained unit with internal power supply and is controlled via 4-channel DMX, RDM device, or its front-panel membrane keypad with three-digit LCD display. The SeaChanger Studio is compatible with either HMI or tungsten lighting, and will accommodate a variety of stage lighting accessories.

To learn more, call 727.545.0741, send an e-mail to SeaChanger@OceanOptics.com, or visit the SeaChanger website at www.SeaChangerOnline.com.

Choice of stackable modules for lab and field work in optical sensing
Dunedin, Florida (April 9, 2008) – Ocean Optics, a global leader in miniature photonics, has developed a family of modular optical sensing instruments easily adaptable for the field, lab or process environments. 

Jaz is a family of stackable, modular and autonomous components that share common electronics and communications, able to operate together or separately.  By incorporating a powerful microprocessor and onboard display, the need for a PC is eliminated, freeing the Jaz for applications outside the lab.  Ethernet connectivity for Internet-addressable sensing, SD card for data storage and battery module enable completely untethered measurements and data collection.

Jaz features a crossed Czerny-Turner optical bench with a linear CCD-array detector and grating and slit options for a variety of configurations.  The RoHS compliant platform expands to include a UV-VIS light source, rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery and up to eight spectrometer modules, allowing the system to be customized to changing application needs.  The Jaz also accommodates fiber optic accessories such as cuvette holders and fibers.  The OLED display has a wide viewing angle and two user-specified configurations. 

New, long-term warranty the first of its kind in the photonics industry
Dunedin, Florida (April 4, 2008) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature spectroscopy has instituted an exclusive 3-Year Warranty for the company’s entire line of spectrometers.

Beginning April 1, 2008, spectrometers purchased from Ocean Optics and its authorized distributors are now covered for a full three years against manufacturing defects – regardless of application.  The warranty covers parts and labor needed to repair manufacturing defects that occur during the coverage period and also covers the costs of shipping warranty-related repairs from U.S. customers to Ocean Optics and from Ocean Optics back to the customers.

“To my knowledge, no other manufacturer makes such a bold guarantee,” said Ocean Optics President, Rob Randelman.  “Our spectrometers have gone from the lab to inside active volcanoes and have stood up to rigorous use for years.  That experience, combined with our continuing improvements in quality and manufacturing, ensure the reliability and durability our customers have come to expect.”

More details about Ocean Optics new 3-Year Warranty are available online at www.oceanoptics.com/warranty.asp.

Michael Kayat to lead global sales and marketing activities for leading optical sensing company
Dunedin, Florida (March 25, 2008) – Ocean Optics, a global leader in optical sensing solutions, has appointed Michael Kayat, Ph.D., to the position of Vice President, Sales and Marketing.  He succeeds Rob Randelman, Ph.D., who was promoted to company President.

As Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Kayat will be responsible for managing all sales and marketing activities for the company’s line of miniature fiber optic spectrometers, optical sensors, sampling accessories, light sources, fibers, probe, thin films and optics.  He will supervise a team of application and software sales engineers and identify new applications and markets worldwide for Ocean Optics’ existing and new products.  With world headquarters in Dunedin, Fla. and locations in Europe and Asia, the company is able to provide regional sales and service for its global customers.

Prior to Ocean Optics, Kayat served as President of the Intellectual Capital Consulting division at UTEK Corporation, a specialty finance company focused on open innovation solutions for customers in a wide range of industries including biopharmaceuticals, consumer products, entertainment, semiconductors and telecommunications.  He was previously Director, OEM Sales at semiconductor sensor products company SMaL Camera Technologies, which was acquired by Cypress Semiconductor.  While at SMaL, he was successful in winning multi-year production programs with top global OEMs.  Earlier positions include Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Exa Corporation and sales management positions with two supercomputer companies.  He began his career at LogicaCMG, a global management and systems consulting company. 

“Ocean Optics is a recognized leader in applying cost-effective photonics technologies to a wide range of optical sensing solutions.  Our miniature spectrometer really did change the world,” commented Dr. Kayat.  “We will continue to address our customer’s needs in current and new markets.  As a member of a world class team, together we will take the company to new levels of corporate growth providing innovative products that truly give our customers compelling returns on their investments.”

Before entering the commercial world, Kayat was a research physicist developing and using imaging and spectroscopy instruments on board rockets and satellites.  Together with a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Leicester University (UK) and an undergraduate Physics degree from University of Bristol (UK), Kayat holds an MBA degree from Pepperdine University (USA).  He is a member of several professional organizations including OSA and SPIE, and a member of the Sales and Marketing Executives International.

Miniature, back-thinned FFT-CCD detector spectrometers an economical choice for high sensitivity applications
Dunedin, Florida (February 28, 2008) – For applications requiring high sensitivity, good UV response and wide dynamic range, Ocean Optics has introduced the Maya2000-series high-sensitivity back-thinned 2D FFT-CCD spectrometers.  Two new spectrometers, the Maya2000 and Maya2000 Pro, were designed to offer good value and performance for applications not requiring long integration times.

Particularly well suited to low light-level, UV-sensitive applications, such as fluorescence, DNA sequencing and Raman analysis, the Maya2000 and the Maya2000 Pro offer greater than 90% quantum efficiency, high dynamic range and excellent UV response. 

Both spectrometers feature a USB 2.0 interface, low-noise electronics, 14 grating options, and a detector collection lens option for enhanced signal collection.  Fully programmable strobe signals allow for the selection of single or continuous strobes to suit application needs.  The Spectrometers are controlled with Ocean Optics’ completely modular, Java-based SpectraSuite software (Windows, Mac OS and Linux compatible). 

While the Maya2000 and Maya2000 Pro offer similar performance for most parameters, the Maya2000 has a slightly faster readout time while the Maya2000 Pro provides a better dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio.

Monitor high-speed reactions at up to 1000 scans per second
Dunedin, Florida (January 31, 2008) – To monitor high-speed chemical and biochemical reactions, Ocean Optics has produced its fastest spectrometer to date, the USB2000+ Miniature Fiber Optics Spectrometer. The CCD-array detector with high-speed USB 2.0 port interface can capture and store a full spectrum into memory at 1000 scans per second.

 
The spectrometer measures optical properties within a wavelength band of 200 – 1100 nm.  It can be equipped with a custom selected fixed grating which disperses the light to the 2048-element CCD array detector, producing results at a resolution to 0.35nm with FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum) image sharpness.

The USB2000+’s programmable microcontroller allows flexibility in controlling the spectrometer through its digital and analog general purpose input/output interface and can be used in various trigger modes.  The internal non-volatile EEPROM memory chip stores the wavelength calibration to be automatically used by the operating software.

Spectrometer operation is simplified with Ocean Optics’ user interface SpectraSuite software.  The completely modular, Java-based spectroscopy software operates on Windows, Mac OS and Linux.  The USB2000+ connects directly to the computer via the USB cable and does not require an outside power source. 

The USB2000+ can be custom configured with the help of Ocean Optics applications scientists; user choose from 14 gratings, six slits and hundreds of fiber optic accessories to create a system optimized to a specific application.  Upgrading and changing the sampling system is as easy as unscrewing a connector and adding new components or accessories, such as light sources, sampling holders, filter holders, flow cells, fiber optic probes and sensors, collimating lenses, attenuators, diffuse reflectance standards, integrating spheres or optical fibers.

Choice of modules and configurations now available for lab and field work

January 17, 2008 - DUNEDIN, FL – Ocean Optics (www.oceanoptics.com), the industry leader in miniature spectrometers, has announced the release of Jaz, a modular spectroscopy suite that will change the way people think about optical-sensing instrumentation.

Jaz is a family of stackable, modular and autonomous components that share common electronics and communications, operating together or separately. Jaz’s modules combine to form a community of smart sensing appliances that can be utilized in lab, field and remote sensing applications.

Jaz features a crossed Czerny-Turner optical bench with  a linear CCD-array detector and grating and slit options for a variety of configurations. The Jaz OLED display has a wide viewing angle and two user-specified configurations. Additionally, the Jaz boasts Ethernet connectivity for internet-addressable sensing, SD card storage and a battery module to allow untethered measurement and data collection.

Jaz also has a UV-VIS light source module, is RoHS compliant and connects to fiber optic accessories such as cuvette holders and fibers.

Detect O2 presence and levels in medical and pharmaceutical applications
Dunedin, Florida (January 18, 2008) –  To accurately measure oxygen in packaging and other enclosed containers, Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, introduces the RedEye™ Oxygen Patch.  Using a combination of proprietary sensing material and optical sensing technologies the non-invasive patch enables quick readings of the presence or absence of oxygen, as well as provides quantitative measurements.

Accurate measurement of oxygen concentration can have critical implications in medical and pharmaceutical applications–it can assure patient safety in point of care analysis and respiratory settings or indicate a sterile seal on surgical instruments and drug packaging. 

The self-adhesive RedEye patch can be integrated into the surface of sample containers such as blood bags, pill blister packs, or point of care analysis devices like disposable ventilator oxygen attachments, to permit non-invasive, through-the-package oxygen concentration measurements.  Ocean Optics’ proprietary nano-porous sol-gel coating is non-reactive and keeps the sensor immobilized, protected from the package contents.  Depending on the application, the simple presence of oxygen can be visually determined by color change with a handheld LED, or a fluorometer can be used to directly measure the exact oxygen level.

RedEye coatings are capable of monitoring low levels of oxygen in gas (to 0.005%) and dissolved oxygen in liquids (to 20 ppb), as well as the higher oxygen levels present in cell culture and respiratory monitoring.  In addition to medical and pharmaceutical uses, RedEye coatings are available for food, beverage, fuel and other hydrocarbon-based product applications. 

Patches are manufactured to customer size specifications with one of Ocean Optics’ three coating formulations, depending on measurement needs.  The RedEye can be integrated into packaging for continuous monitoring or used externally for post-production and R&D monitoring purposes.