Ocean Optics - a Halma PR news blog

The Jaz brings harmony to applications where multi-channel spectral analysis is necessary
Dunedin, Florida (June 18, 2008) – Now available from Ocean Optics is a modular optical sensing platform that easily integrates multi-point spectral sampling and reference monitoring into process streams and other sample environments. 

Jaz is a family of stackable, modular and autonomous components that share common electronics and communications. At its heart is a miniature CCD-array spectrometer, available with user-selected grating and slit options optimized for a variety of application needs, in a design that accommodates up to 8 spectrometer channels.

Each Jaz stack includes a powerful microprocessor and display, so that full spectra data can be acquired, processed and stored onboard the unit — without the need for a PC. Spectral data also can be transferred to a laptop or desktop PC for additional post-acquisition processing, such as displaying x-axis values in wavenumbers or nanometers or combining data from multiple spectrometer channels in a single graph.

“Smaller, lower-cost optical sensing systems like Jaz make feasible some spectral applications that were previously cost-prohibitive,” says Mike Kayat, Ocean Optics Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “For example, instead of using expensive laboratory spectrophotometers to monitor the chemical composition of a finished product, a series of less expensive Jaz modules can be installed into process lines or used as rugged handheld instruments in the field.”

In addition, Jaz systems can be rapidly configured for a variety of absorbance, reflectance and emission measurements, with potential applications as far-ranging as monitoring of dye baths for carpeting, verification of color and appearance of food, and analysis of chemical dissolution processes for pharmaceuticals production.

Jaz is also available with an Ethernet module that allows users to connect to the Jaz unit via the Internet, making remote measurements possible and enabling the creation of networked sensing modules. The Ethernet module also has data storage capability via an SD card slot.

The Jaz Lithium-Ion battery module is rechargeable in the field via a solar cell, or in the QC lab or process stream using the Power over Ethernet connection (100 Mbps, IEEE 802.3-compliant 10/100 single-cable), the USB 2.0 port or an external power supply. The battery module also has a power-conserving sleep mode for long-term measurements and two additional SD card slots for storing data. Additional Jaz modules include VIS/NIR or LED light sources.

Jaz can be connected to a variety of fiber optic sampling accessories, including process-ready optical multiplexers, transmission dip probes and flow cells, and temperature-regulated cuvette holders. An add-on holster accessory makes the Jaz wearable, freeing hands to manipulate sampling devices.

Unlike traditional light meters, Jaz provides full spectral analysis in a simple, handheld unit
Dunedin, Florida (June 17, 2008) – The Jaz from Ocean Optics is a modular, handheld optical-sensing instrument now available for radiometric analysis of LEDs, flat panel displays, lamps and other radiant sources. With its small footprint and convenient onboard display, Jaz is ideal for relative intensity measurements of incandescent, high-intensity discharge, UV curing and fluorescent lamps, as well as low-power sources such as LEDs and OLEDs. 

Jaz is family of stackable, modular and autonomous components that share common electronics and communications. Included in the Jaz stack is a CCD-array spectrometer that can be optimized for a variety of radiometric measurements and a microprocessor with onboard display. Unlike traditional light meters, Jaz allows users to capture, process and store full spectra without the need for a PC.  Spectral data can be transferred to a laptop or desktop PC for additional post-acquisition processing, such as calculating color temperature, spectral intensity and color space values.

Jaz’s Ethernet and battery modules offer unmatched portability. The Ethernet module has data storage capability via an SD card slot and allows users to connect to the Jaz unit via the Internet — making remote measurements such as solar irradiance possible and enabling the creation of networked sensing modules. The Lithium-Ion battery module is rechargeable in the field via a solar cell or in the QC lab using the Power over Ethernet connection (100 Mbps, IEEE 802.3-compliant 10/100 single-cable), the USB 2.0 port or an external power supply. The battery module also has a power-conserving sleep mode for long-term measurements and two additional SD card slots for storing data.

“Jaz offers an attractive combination of spectral sensing power and handheld portability for all sorts of lighting measurements,” says Mike Kayat, Ocean Optics Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “As energy savings and cost concerns help drive demand for more efficient LEDs and other types of lighting, the value of simple, convenient diagnostic instrumentation is magnified.”

The Jaz platform also expands to include light sources (VIS-NIR or LED) and additional spectrometer channels. Jaz can be connected to fiber optic sampling accessories such as integrating spheres (for collecting emission with a 360-degree Field of View), cosine correctors (collecting with 180-degree Field of View) and optical fibers. An add-on holster accessory makes the Jaz wearable, freeing hands to manipulate sampling devices.

Jaz build-to-suit instrument puts big spectral sensing power into palm-sized package
Dunedin, Florida (June 16, 2008) – Valuable real-time data can now be collected in a variety of settings with the Jaz, a handheld, field-portable analytical instrument from Ocean Optics that combines the power of optical sensing with onboard computing power.  The level of flexibility Jaz provides will change analysis in custom applications ranging from crop management and environmental analysis to UV radiation and ozone monitoring.

Because of its size and versatility, Jaz is a convenient analytical tool for applications across various industries and disciplines. The spectral data collected and analyzed by Jaz can help growers and horticulturists determine crop ripeness, measure chlorophyll and light levels, and assess reflectance of petals and leaves to gauge plant health. Environmentalists, ecologists and geologists can take accurate forest canopy measurements, examine mineral and soil composition on-site, evaluate water quality, monitor pollution, and study volcanic gas. In marine settings, Jaz measures upwelling/downwellling and delivers fluorescence readings indicating the health of corals and other sea life.  The system can even be used by the military and other emergency responders to detect biological and chemical threats.

Jaz is a family of stackable, modular and autonomous components — a typical setup for field use is about the size of a few decks of cards stacked atop each other — that share common electronics and communications. At its heart is a miniature CCD-array spectrometer, or light measuring device, available with user-selected grating and slit options optimized for a variety of optical sensing application needs. Also incorporated into the Jaz stack is a powerful microprocessor and onboard display with data logging capability, so that full spectra data can be acquired, processed and stored without the need for a PC.

Jaz’s Ethernet and battery modules offer additional functionality for field use. The Ethernet module has data storage capability via an SD card slot and allows users to connect to the Jaz unit via the Internet, making remote measurements possible and enabling the creation of networked sensing modules. For example, a community of Jaz users could map atmospheric ozone measurements around the world and share the data nearly instantaneously.

“The Jaz system is very versatile, as our early adopter customers have demonstrated,” says Mike Kayat, Ocean Optics Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “We have customers now involved in field applications such as environmental engineering, as well as in drug discovery and materials analysis. That’s the power of Jaz – that it is easily adaptable for field, lab or process environments.”

The Lithium-Ion battery module is rechargeable in the field via the solar cell or back in the lab using the Power over Ethernet connection (100 Mbps, IEEE 802.3-compliant 10/100 single-cable), the USB 2.0 port or an external power supply. The battery module also has a power-conserving sleep mode for long-term measurements and two additional SD card slots for storing data.

The Jaz platform also expands to include light sources (VIS-NIR or LED) and additional spectrometer channels. Jaz can be connected to field-ready fiber optic accessories such as cosine corrected irradiance probes for solar irradiance measurements, optical fibers and probes for immersing in fluids or sampling solid surfaces, and devices for adjusting the field of view of the sampling optic. A special holster makes the Jaz wearable, freeing hands to manipulate sampling devices.

Ambitious school project yields color-match data for more than 1,500 gels
Dunedin, Florida (June 10, 2008) – Thanks to a group of enterprising young students from a Lakeland, Fla. high school, lighting designers and other users of the SeaChanger Color Engine (www.seachangeronline.com) by Ocean Optics can now more easily match the dichroic color changer’s extensive palette to gel colors from a variety of leading gel filter manufacturers.

Thirteen students from Santa Fe Catholic High School (www.santafecatholic.org) spent time before and after school hours analyzing more than 1,500 filter gels, which are commonly used in theatrical lighting to create colors. According to student Susan Ritchie, her classmates first collected optical transmission data for each gel using spectrometers and accessories from Ocean Optics, and then matched colors by setting up a stage light with gels and visually comparing the color for each gel with colors produced by the SeaChanger. The SeaChanger product uses dichroic optical filters, which split light into different wavelengths, to create lighting color.

“The students involved in the project came to learn the many different applications of light in addition to theatrical uses,” said Ritchie. “We not only gained experience working in research, but also the knowledge that the matched colors will light future Broadway productions.”

At a May 15, 2008 ice cream social sponsored by Ocean Optics at the high school, company president Rob Randelman presented the students and their project supervisor, fine arts teacher Scott Morris, with certificates of appreciation and a framed poster thanking the students for their work.

“It’s very gratifying to see these students so engaged in a science project that produced tangible, very useful data,” said Randelman. “We are very appreciative of their effort, which occurred on their own time and without the need for significant supervision. It’s nice to be able to continue our long tradition of supporting education with a group of students having such enthusiasm and curiosity about art and science.”

In addition to Ritchie, the students who participated in the project were A.J. Allemang, Eric Bodolay, Kiet Nguyen, Morgan Boatwright, Kathleen Whitfield, Nick Presiozi, Paul McNally, Emma Voithofer, Lindsey Held, Joseph Kedzuf, Desiree Hernandez and Amanda Marconi.

The SeaChanger by Ocean Optics is a CMYG color changer for ETC Source Four Ellipsoidals. Through unique, patented processes, the ESTA Award-winning SeaChanger yields the most robust and highest transmission dichroics available. Users control the color, intensity and saturation of theatrical and studio lighting with unprecedented levels of precision and ease. SeaChanger is available in Profile, Wash and “Studio Dichroics” (extra-saturation) versions.

To learn more, call +1 727.545.0741, send an e-mail to SeaChanger@OceanOptics.com, or visit the SeaChanger website at www.SeaChangerOnline.com.