Options range from modular setups to fully integrated systems
Dunedin, FL (February 23, 2010) – Miniature spectroscopy pioneer Ocean Optics  has enhanced its line of Raman offerings with the addition of new options for handheld, laboratory and educational applications, with retail pricing on some Raman analyzer models reduced by up to 40%. Modular, turnkey and application-ready kits are among the options available for 532 nm and 785 nm Raman laser analysis of aqueous solutions, powders and surface media.

Ocean Optics offers a complete line of Raman options for handheld, laboratory-grade and teaching lab applications.

Modular options allow users to configure custom Raman systems, tailored to their application. The Ocean Optics high-sensitivity QE65000 Spectrometer is a good foundation, with additional options that include Bragg grating-stabilized 532 nm and 785 nm diode lasers, probes for solid or liquid samples and add-on software modules for sophisticated data analysis. Among the software options are a package for chemometric analysis of various substances, including complex mixtures; a tool for creating and managing spectral libraries; and a tool for supporting compliance with 21 CFR 11, a Food and Drug Administration guideline on electronic records and signatures.

For off-the-shelf solutions, Ocean Optics has expanded its range of fully integrated Raman systems.  All system options include the spectrometer, a 532 nm or 785 nm laser, operating software and sampling accessories for probe- or cuvette-based analysis. The 532 nm laser version has spectral range of 200-3400 cm-1 (Stokes shift) and spectral resolution of ~10 cm-1. Several 785 nm laser options are available, including an economical (below $10,000) system ideal for teaching labs and a pair of robust laboratory-grade systems with slightly narrower spectral ranges (150-1800 cm-1 and 150-3200 cm-1) and spectral resolution of ~6-10 cm-1.  In addition, Ocean Optics has available a budget-friendly handheld Raman system, the RSL-Plus, which starts at less than $15,000 and includes an onboard mini-computer, fiber optic probe and sample compartment.

Ocean Optics also offers additional Raman accessories such as calibration standards, sample compartments and safety glasses. Application-ready combinations of Raman systems, software and accessories are available as off-the-shelf kits.

Comments (0) »

Low-power source offers high pulse rate with great pulse-to-pulse stability
Dunedin, FL (February 12, 2010) – Miniature spectroscopy pioneer Ocean Optics has added a pulsed xenon light source option for its Jaz modular sensing system. The Jaz-PX is a high flash rate, short-arc xenon lamp especially useful for UV-Vis applications such as absorbance, bioreflectance, fluorescence and phosphorescence. The lamp has maximum pulse frequency of 500 Hz and spectral response from 190-1000 nm.

The Jaz-PX from Ocean Optics is ideal for UV-Vis reflection, fluorescence and other applications that require a high-intensity, low-power source. The onboard battery lasts up to 4 hours in the field.

Jaz is a family of stackable, modular components that share common electronics and communications. At its heart is a miniature linear CCD-array spectrometer, available with user-selected grating and entrance slit optimized for a variety of application needs, in a design that accommodates up to 8 spectrometer channels. Each Jaz stack includes a powerful onboard microprocessor and display, which eliminate the need for a PC. Additional Jaz modules are available for battery operation and Ethernet connectivity, as well as for sample illumination (via UV-Vis and Vis-NIR sources) and excitation (via LEDs).

The Jaz-PX operates in both free running and triggered modes, which allow its pulses to be coordinated with other devices in the Jaz stack. Flash-to-flash stability is <1% and the flash rate is 500 Hz. Jaz-PX has an SMA 905 connector that couples to Ocean Optics accessories, including optical fibers, cuvette holders, probes and other sampling optics. Because it produces a pulsed signal, the Jaz-PX is less likely to cause solarization in optical fiber assemblies, which can occur when fibers are illuminated with signal <260 nm.

In addition, Jaz can be configured for a variety of field, lab and process setups. The Jaz-PX is ideal for field applications such as bioreflectance that require a high-intensity, low-power source as no external power supply is required.  When used in the field, the lamp will operate from the power of the battery for approximately 3.5-4 hours. Additional power is available through an optional 50 Watt-hour Jaz battery extender.

Comments (0) »

Optical pH sensing cuvettes turn spectrophotometers into drift-free pH meters
Dunedin, FL (February 5, 2010) – Proprietary sol gel coating materials developed by Ocean Optics have enabled new technology for convenient, non-intrusive monitoring of biological samples. By encapsulating pH indicator dyes into coatings applied to its new Smart pH Cuvettes, Ocean Optics miniature fiber optic spectrometers and accessories can be used for optical pH sensing of 5.0-9.0 pH range samples.  With Smart pH Cuvettes, pH readings can be taken quickly and accurately using existing spectrometer setups, negating the need for a dedicated pH meter.  PH measurements are critical in applications ranging from DNA analysis, drug discovery, and blood analysis, to environmental monitoring and food and beverage production.

Ocean Optics’ Smart pH Cuvettes turn an existing spectrometer set up into a drift free optical pH meter.

The Smart pH Cuvettes’ immobilized indicator dye is encapsulated into a robust sol gel matrix, allowing for the diffusion of ions while preventing leaching of the dye. Unlike traditional pH electrode meters, Smart pH Cuvettes can be used for monitoring low conductivity samples such as boiler water. In addition, fully integrated Smart Cuvette pH systems provide full spectral analysis to help eliminate errors from changes in turbidity, temperature and ionic strength. The physical properties of the immobilized indicator dye eliminate the need for frequent calibration.

Smart pH Cuvettes are 1-cm square, come in plastic Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or quartz and are coated on their inner walls with a sol gel embedded with Bromocresol Green pH indicator dye. The cuvettes are available separately (in 8-, 50- and 100-cuvette packs) or as part of a fully integrated desktop or handheld spectrometer-based pH system.

The PMMA Cuvettes have a temperature range of -5 °C to 70 °C, while quartz is available for high-temperature applications. The PMMA Cuvettes are compatible with aqueous solutions, ethanol/methanol solutions, ammonia, peroxides and sodium hypochlorite solutions. The quartz cuvettes also can be used in acetone and concentrated acids (including nitric, sulfuric and acetic). Although PMMA cuvettes are designed to be disposable, they can be used multiple times depending on sample environments. 

For additional applications, such as through-package monitoring, Ocean Optics’ proprietary pH-sensitive transducer materials can also be formulated as self-adhesive patches and integrated into biological and other types of sample containers.

Comments (0) »