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Signal-balancing technique is scaleable to large-volume spectrometer
Dunedin, Florida (June 3, 2010) – 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.

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 optimize 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 optimized to commercial requirements. The team offers complete system design capability for OEMs from supply of fiber 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. Additional information is available at www.OceanOEM.com.

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The Ocean Optics Photo Contest is back, and it’s bigger than ever.  This year the competition has been expanded to place a special emphasis on videos. 

Ocean Optics Photo Contest

The contest is open to all customers, partners, distributors and advocates of Ocean Optics. This is an opportunity to share experiences and knowledge with the entire world.

The most innovative, entertaining and educational submissions will win prizes, including grand prizes for both the Video and Photo Contest, and five honorable mentions.

Visit the contest website for more info.

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Ocean Optics’ Jaz modular optical sensing platform was chosen as a finalist in the Test and Measurement category of Design News’ annual Golden Mousetrap Awards, recognizing engineering innovation and creativity in product design.

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.

View the complete award entry: http://www.designnews.com/article/449968-Ocean_Optics_Jaz.php

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Free step-by-step spectrometer and sensor demonstrations
Dunedin, FL (March 23, 2010) – For added customer convenience, miniature spectroscopy pioneer Ocean Optics (www.OceanOptics.com) has made its popular Spectroscopy TV video tutorials available from the Apple iTunes store.  More than a dozen free videos demonstrate the use of Ocean Optics spectrometers and sensors for a number of spectroscopic applications.

Ocean Optics' Apple iTunes library.

The high quality videos range in length from three to twelve minutes and provide a quick start guide for owners of Ocean Optics spectrometers, covering setup, calibration and software.  The tutorials are also a good general educational tool for those interested in learning about spectroscopic and sensor technology.

To access Spectroscopy TV tutorials, visit the Apple iTunes store and search “Ocean Optics.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cash prize and grant awarded during SPIE BiOS/Photonics West 2010 conference
Dunedin, FL (January 25, 2010) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, is pleased to announce that Cheng-An J. Lin, Ph.D., is the winner of the SPIE 2010 Young Investigator Award sponsored by the company.

(L-R) Marek Osinski, Chairman Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications V” of BiOS/Photonics West; Rob Randelman, President Ocean Optics; Cheng-An J. Lin, Ph.D., winner SPIE 2010 Young Investigator Award.

The Young Investigator Award is presented to the researcher who is no more than five years out of school and is author of the best juried paper submitted as part of the “Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications V” session of the Nano/Biophotonics Program Track of the 2010 BiOS/Photonics West. The honor includes a $1,000 investigator reward and a company grant to the investigator’s advisor.

Dr. Lin, a post-doctoral researcher at the Center of Nano Bioengineering, Chung Yuan University in Taiwan, was honored for his work as lead author of “Synthesis and Surface Modification of Highly Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters and Their Exploitation for Cellular Labeling.” Lin presented the paper (7576-6) on Monday, Jan. 25 at 11:45 a.m. at the BiOS/Photonics West conference. His advisor is Professor Walter H. Chang of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan.

“Supporting and encouraging young scientists from around the world is something we believe in deeply,” said Rob Randelman, President of Ocean Optics. “We have a long history of support for researchers ranging from undergraduate students to post-doctoral fellows to novice professionals and budding entrepreneurs. Young investigators represent the promise of both scientific discovery and industry growth.”

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Jaz goes beyond traditional light meters to provide full spectral analysis
Dunedin, FL (January 22, 2010) – Now available from Ocean Optics is a light-measurement system for spectroradiometric analysis of LEDs, lamps, flat panel displays and other radiant sources, as well as solar radiation. With its small footprint, powerful microprocessor and low-power display, the new Jaz-ULM-200 is a convenient, versatile alternative to standard light meters and radiometers.

The Ocean Optics Jaz-ULM-200 Light Measurement System collects spectral irradiance data from LEDs, light sources and radiant sources such as the sun.

Jaz is family of stackable components that share common electronics and communications and are configurable for a variety of applications. Included in the Jaz-ULM-200 stack is a CCD-array spectrometer that can be optimized for a variety of radiometric measurements and a microprocessor with onboard display.

Jaz provides functionality not found in traditional light meters, allowing users to capture, process and store full spectra without the need for a PC.  With only three pushes of a button, the system’s irradiance-measurement software, which is stored on an SD card, collects full spectral irradiance information from the selected light source. This data can then be post-processed to give the intensity parameter of choice, including W/cm2, lumens, lux, PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) or any other light intensity parameter. The system’s three-button wizard simplifies operation so that even non-spectroscopy experts are able to perform fast and accurate measurements.

In addition to the Jaz-ULM-200’s spectrometer and microprocessor, it includes an Ethernet module to store data via an SD card slot and allows users to connect to the Jaz unit via the Internet.  The internet capability enables remote measurements such as solar irradiance and the creation of networked sensing modules. Also included are a rechargeable lithium-ion battery module (with SD card slot) for portability and a special mounting fixture for orienting the Jaz stack horizontally to facilitate hands-free operation.

Additional system components include a direct-attach cosine corrector for collecting radiation within a 180-degree Field of View, a carrying case with shoulder strap and a rugged Pelican case for storing all related gear. Software includes the Jaz system software and JAZ-A-IRRAD, an irradiance-measurement application that comes on an SD card.

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Fluorescence-based optical O2 sensor is portable and battery-operated
Dunedin, FL (January 11, 2010) – The NeoFox Sport is a portable, handheld optical oxygen sensor for measuring dissolved and gaseous oxygen pressure in a variety of media. The sensor uses a proprietary sol-gel coating that is embedded with an oxygen indicator and can be applied to patches or probes. Patches are useful for measuring headspace gases and other parameters inside packages and containers; probe options range from slender, 300 µm-diameter fiber assemblies for fine spatial resolution applications to robust, ¼-inch OD stainless steel configurations for process environments. Coating formulations are available for general lab use, high-sensitivity applications and hydrocarbon-rich sample environments.

The portable Ocean Optics NeoFox Sport measures dissolved and gaseous oxygen pressure in a variety of media.

Comprised of a probe- or patch-based oxygen sensor, plus a phase fluorometer, the NeoFox Sport fluorescence-based optical oxygen system includes an onboard microprocessor with low-power OLED display, a user interface and a battery pack. The user interface permits such functions as setting single- or multi-point calibration and displaying oxygen readings in percent oxygen, partial pressure, moles per liter and other parameters. Data is captured and stored to a 2-GB SD card for retrieval on the NeoFox Sport itself or via an SD card reader connected to a PC. Response times range from <1.0 seconds in gas to ~30 seconds in liquids, with dissolved oxygen range (O2% at 1 Atmosphere) of 0-100% for most applications. 

NeoFox Sport sensors combine the best of advances in materials sciences and phase fluorometry. A fluorescence-based transducer material is trapped in a sol-gel coating that is applied to the probe or patch. When the material, or indicator changes optical properties in response to specific analytes in its immediate environment, the NeoFox Sport measures the response. Unlike polarographic and galvanic oxygen meters, the NeoFox Sport optical oxygen sensor is immune to environmental changes in pH, salinity and ionic strength. Other advantages of optical oxygen sensors include no sample consumption, no need for frequent calibration and no interference from electromagnetic interference.

Optional add-on accessories for NeoFox Sport include a battery-life extender for up to 25 hours of continuous operation and a field-friendly carrying pack with shoulder strap. OEM options are also available.

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