High sensitivity ideal for fluorescence, Raman, DNA and low light levels
Dunedin, FL (June 6, 2012) – Ocean Optics’ (www.oceanoptics.com) latest scientific-grade modular spectrometer, the QE65 Pro, brings enhanced sensitivity and low stray light capabilities to deliver optimal performance in fluorescence, Raman and DNA sequencing spectroscopy.

The QE65 Pro can be customized for accuracy in fluorescence, Raman, DNA sequencing and low light level spectroscopy.

The QE65 Pro’s new optical bench components more efficiently manipulate light for greater throughput and higher sensitivity. A thermally robust design promotes spectrometer wavelength stability over a wide temperature range. Its ultralow jitter triggering synchronizes timing accurately with other devices.

An extensive range of new gratings have been selected for the QE65 Pro to optimize wavelength range and stray light performance characteristics. To further tailor the instrument to application needs, replaceable slits can be reconfigured by the user in the field. By simply changing the slit, users can more precisely balance optical resolution and throughput needs to achieve highly accurate results with a single multipurpose instrument.

The Hamamatsu FFT-CCD back thinned detector that forms the core of the instrument is distinguished by high quantum efficiency (90% maximum) and low etalon characteristics. Its design significantly improves signal-to-noise ratio (>1000:1) and signal processing speed. The QE65 Pro is capable of low light level detection and long integration times–from 8 milliseconds to 15 minutes, with virtually no spectral distortion.

To learn more about the new QE65 Pro, visit www.qe65pro.com.

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Jaz ALP accessory enables precisely targeted spot irradiance measurements
Dunedin, FL (April 30, 2012) – Ocean Optics has added a new accessory option for its Jaz modular sensing system, enhancing performance in standoff light measurement applications. The Jaz Adjustable Laser Pointer is a convenient tool for making accurate spot measurements of large-area projection screens, flat panel displays, media walls and other samples where precise focus within large areas of light emission are necessary.

The Jaz Adjustable Laser Pointer enhances performance in standoff light measurement applications.

The Jaz ALP focuses the Jaz’s collection optics to a precise spot within the sample being measured. The addition of the ALP module to the Jaz stack, along with a separately available Gershun Tube Kit, controls the field of view of the spectrometer from 1° to 28°. A low-power laser pointer pinpoints the sampling area from a distance of 2-14 m as factory calibrated. Greater distances may be achieved with readjustment. Four Torx adjustment screws allow vertical and horizontal control of the laser beam direction. The Jaz-ALP is powered separately from three AAA batteries and includes a power switch with red LED ‘on’ indicator.

The Jaz modular sensing platform is a family of stackable components that share common electronics and communications. Its CCD-array miniature spectrometer can be optimized for a variety of measurements by choosing grating and slit options. A powerful onboard microprocessor with built in display eliminates the need for a PC. Its mix and match accessories, including additional spectrometer channels, battery packs, Ethernet connectivity, software packages, light sources and now the ALP, make the Jaz highly customizable to the unique challenges of virtually any measurement application.

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Vivo Light Source with four individual bulbs and active cooling for control and accuracy
Dunedin, FL (March 19, 2012) – Ocean Optics’ Vivo NIR Source is a compact, tungsten halogen light source for VIS-NIR spectroscopy across the 360-2000 nm range. Compatible with all Ocean Optics spectrometers, optical fibers and sampling accessories, Vivo delivers powerful output for reflection and other measurements. The high powered source is ideal for use in NIR analysis of pharmaceuticals, grains and oils, as well as food safety applications.

Ocean Optics’ Vivo NIR Source.

Vivo’s four tungsten halogen sources, arranged for reflection measurements at a 90 degree angle to the detection fiber, can be turned on and off for precision control. The powerful bulb output enables shorter spectrometer integration times than conventional methods-as fast as 1ms with some system setups. An inner cooling fan reduces the risk of overheating the sample to ensure accuracy.

The Vivo can be attached to Ocean Optics’ RTL-stage or other standard for stability and control. Powered by an included universal power supply, the Vivo’s tungsten halogen bulbs are rated for 2,000 hours.

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BluLoop Light Source from Ocean Optics is ideal for color applications
Dunedin, FL (February 29, 2012) – Ocean Optics’ BluLoop Light Source is a compact, LED-based source with balanced spectral output across the visible (400-700 nm) range. When coupled to a miniature spectrometer, optical fibers and sampling accessories, BluLoop is ideal for color and reflectance measurements and general-purpose VIS-NIR spectroscopy.

BluLoop broadband visible light source from Ocean Optics.

BluLoop’s four LEDs are packaged in a rugged, small-footprint housing.  Unlike tungsten halogen sources, BluLoop produces “flatter” spectral output in the visible range for more predictable response, especially for color analysis. In addition, BluLoop provides a more constant spectral distribution and strongly reduced instrumental stray light. Its power output is comparable to standard tungsten halogen sources.

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High-sensitivity spectrometer is ideal for wide range of VIS-NIR applications
Dunedin, FL (January 25, 2012) – The Maya2000 Pro-VIS-NIR from Ocean Optics  is a back-thinned 2D FFT-CCD spectrometer with high sensitivity, 80% peak quantum efficiency and excellent VIS-NIR response. The Maya2000 Pro-VIS-NIR is ideal for low light-level applications such as Raman, as well as for analysis of gases used in semiconductor processing and measurement of biological samples in the life sciences.

The Maya2000 Pro-VIS-NIR Scientific-grade spectrometer from OceanOptics.

The Maya2000 Pro-VIS-NIR has a low-etalon, scientific-grade detector that provides high quantum efficiency from ~400-1100 nm. Other features include triggering functions for providing accurate timing and synchronization between the spectrometer and other devices.

Three low-jitter trigger modes and normal (free-running spectral acquisition) operating modes are possible. Applications include pulsing a light source when acquiring a spectra and synchronizing spectral acquisition to coordinate with samples moving through a process stream or sensors reaching a certain temperature level. 

In addition, Maya2000 Pro-VIS-NIR supports RS-232 communications and has a 30-pin connector and 10 user-programmable digital I/Os. Its enhanced onboard programmable high-speed FPGA controller enables triggering and provides other performance advantages.

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R1000-4-Angle probe performs in colored and turbid environments
Dunedin, FL (December 13, 2011) – Ocean Optics’ (www.OceanOptics.com) new R1000-4 reflection probe maximizes efficiency of pH measurement. Paired with Ocean Optics’ non-intrusive reflective pH sensing patches, the R1000-4 overcomes the shortcomings of alternative pH measurements methods to deliver accurate pH response in turbid or colored environments.

An Ocean Optics optical pH sensor system takes pH measurement of wine sample.

Ocean Optics’ optical pH sensor systems consist of a fiber optic probe that accommodates pH reactive patches, plus a light source, spectrometer and software. Indicator material patches and probes can be optimized for monitoring pH in a variety of samples and conditions, from clear and lighter-colored samples such as alcohols and solvents, to turbid and optically dense samples such as slurries and surface waters. Sensing patches can be applied directly to fiber optic probes or to cuvettes and other substrates.

In food, beverage and environmental testing environments, the often colored or muddied solutions make pH measurement a challenge. The R1000-4 probe design greatly increases back reflection from reflective pH patches, increasing signal-to-noise ratio for more accurate results. The combination of the R1000-4 probe and Ocean Optics reflective patches enables accurate, non-intrusive pH measurement for applications from fermentation monitoring of beer and wine, to testing of lake and river water.

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Novel fiber optic chemical sensors are non-intrusive, provide real-time monitoring
Dunedin, FL (December 5, 2011) – Advances in high-performance sensor materials and optoelectronics have enabled novel optical sensors for use in applications in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage processing and more. Compared with traditional electrochemical sensing techniques such as galvanic sensors, Ocean Optics (www.oceanoptics.com) optical sensors can be made in small and customizable form factors, allow non-intrusive measurements and do not consume the sample.

Ocean Optics’ oxygen and pH sensors are ideal for monitoring a wide range of samples, including viscous foods such as vegetable oils, salad dressing and peanut butter (pictured).

Ocean Optics’ optical O2 and pH sensors are designed for accurate, real-time, in situ measurements in various media. The proprietary sensor coating materials do not consume the sample and can be applied to substrates such as probes, self-adhesive acrylic patches and microtiter wells. Coating options are available for general lab use, food processing lines and hydrocarbon-rich environments. Depending on the application, oxygen presence or pH can be visually determined by color change with a handheld LED, or a fluorometer can be used to make exact measurements.

The principle of operation is to trap an oxygen-sensitive fluorophore or pH indicator dye in a sol-gel host matrix that can be applied to the tip of a fiber, an adhesive membrane such as a patch or a flat substrate such as a cuvette. The indicator materials change optical properties in response to specific analytes in their immediate environment and electronics then measure the response. For oxygen, the NeoFox Phase Fluorometer measures the partial pressure of dissolved or gaseous oxygen; for pH, a miniature fiber optic spectrometer measures the colorimetric (absorbance) response of the pH dye.

Ocean Optics optical oxygen and pH patches overcome the limitations of electrochemical-based oxygen and pH sensing. Such patches can be integrated easily within a small-scale biosystem such as a bioflask used for fermentation and provide continuous, non-intrusive monitoring of key system parameters. The ability to monitor dissolved oxygen and pH in real time without perturbing a sealed environment can lead to an improved understanding of the processes in the bioreactor and help to facilitate the development of new biological products and fermentation processes.

To learn more, visit www.oceanopticssensors.com.

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High-sensitivity spectrometer is ideal for low light level, UV-sensitive applications
Dunedin, FL (October 27, 2011) – Ocean Optics  has added triggering functions to its Maya2000 Pro back-thinned CCD miniature spectrometer to provide accurate timing and synchronization between the spectrometer and other devices. Three low-jitter trigger and normal operating modes are now possible. Applications include pulsing a light source to occur when acquiring a spectra and synchronizing spectral acquisition to coordinate with samples moving through a process stream or sensors reaching a certain temperature level. 

Triggering functions in the high-sensitivity Maya2000 Pro spectrometer can be used to synchronize spectral acquisition with the operation of devices such as lasers.

In addition to triggering, Ocean Optics has enhanced Maya2000 Pro performance with support for RS-232 communications and improved optoelectronics that increase dynamic range (to 15000:1), lower trigger jitter (to 100 ns) and decrease dark noise (to 6 RMS counts). 

Triggering provides precise timing between devices. The Maya2000 Pro can be triggered so that sending the spectrometer a pulse causes it to do something such as turn off or on a light, activate a pulse in a pulsed light source or start or end spectral acquisition in the spectrometer. For example, in the External Triggering mode, an event outside the sampling system (such as a button push, lever activation or laser) electronically pulses the spectrometer’s trigger pin and starts acquisition of the spectra with microsecond accuracy.

The Maya2000 Pro has a 30-pin connector and 10 user-programmable digital I/Os. Its enhanced onboard programmable high-speed FPGA controller enables triggering and provides other performance advantages. Available operating modes are Normal (spectrometer continuously acquires spectra) and the three trigger modes:

• External Hardware Level Trigger. The spectrometer waits for a sharp rise in voltage on the trigger
  input pin, and then acquires spectra until the voltage is removed.
• External Synchronous Trigger. Spectrometer acquires data from an external trigger event (such as a push button) until the next time the trigger is activated, at which time the spectrometer ceases spectral acquisition and begins a new acquisition. Integration time cannot be set, and is the effective period between triggers.
• External Hardware Edge Trigger. The spectrometer waits for a sharp rise in voltage on the trigger input pin, and then acquires one spectrum. One spectrum will be acquired for each trigger unless an acquisition is already in progress.

The Maya2000 Pro is a back-thinned 2D FFT-CCD spectrometer with high sensitivity, 75% peak quantum efficiency and excellent UV response. Maya2000 Series spectrometers are ideal for low light-level applications such as fluorescence, DNA sequencing and measurement of certain biological samples. The spectrometer can be used in the VUV (to ~150 nm) with the addition of a nitrogen purgebox to help lessen the absorption of water and oxygen in the VUV.

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RaySphere a powerful spectroscopic system for irradiance measurement from 380-1700 nm
Dunedin, FL (October 11, 2011) – Ocean Optics has introduced an optical measurement system for absolute irradiance measurements of solar simulators and other radiant sources. The RaySphere enables measurement of absolute irradiance (mW/cm2/nm) over different spectral ranges from the UV to the NIR (380-1700 nm).

The RaySphere from Ocean Optics enables evaluation and qualification of the spectral distribution of solar flashers and simulators.

RaySphere is especially useful to solar simulator manufacturers and R&D labs as a tool to validate the output of installed solar flash lamps. The flash of a solar simulator is used within the photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing process for the binning of cells according to spectral response and for final PV module efficiency measurements. RaySphere provides a system with the necessary accuracy and resolution to measure and analyze the performance and stability of the flasher, with advanced, ultra-low jitter triggering electronics for timing the measurement to the flashes. The calibration of the RaySphere has been validated by an accredited certification lab to ensure accurate detection, allowing evaluation and qualification of the spectral distribution of solar flashers and simulators according to norms established by standards-setting bodies such as ASTM and IEC (IEC60904-9 2007).

Two thermo-electrically cooled detectors allow highly repeatable and accurate spectral analysis of solar flashers from 380-1700 nm. A second version of RaySphere contains a single cooled detector for measurement to 1100 nm.

The system also includes advanced, high-speed electronics and an intuitive and powerful software interface. Extremely brief measurement times enable the detection of a complete spectrum during a flash or even during a portion of the flash. In addition, the measurement can be triggered by a fast response photodiode that reacts on the increasing intensity of the flashlight with sub-microsecond response times.

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New device mitigates spectral performance issues related to temperature variation
Dunedin, FL (September 8, 2011) – To maintain thermal stability of spectrometers operating in variable environments, Ocean Optics has released the USB-TC small-footprint heating device. Compatible with the company’s USB2000+ and USB4000 miniature spectrometers, the unit attaches directly to the spectrometer and maintains wavelength thermal stability to within +/-0.025 pixels/ ºC. This temperature control ensures accuracy in industrial and other settings where temperature variations can affect spectral performance.

The USB-TC temperature controller for Ocean Optics USB2000+ and USB4000 spectrometers ensures excellent thermal wavelength stability (+/-0.025 pixels/ ºC) in environments subject to significant temperature variation.

The USB-TC is available with pre-selected setpoint temperatures between 25-55ºC and comes with a 12 VDC, 3A power supply. With constant ambient temperature, the USB-TC stabilizes to within 0.1ºC of the final temperature within 30 minutes of power-up. The system will operate in temperatures ranging from 5-40ºC below the setpoint temperature.

The USB2000+ and USB4000 are among the most popular miniature spectrometers in the world. Their small-footprint, high-speed CCD-array design is ideal for a wide range of applications. Modular optical bench accessories (entrance apertures, order sorting filters and more) make it possible to configure the USB2000+ and USB4000 for hundreds of different applications.

The USB-TC is available with new spectrometer purchases or as a retrofit option for existing owners of USB2000+ and USB4000 spectrometers.

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