Ocean Optics - a Halma PR news blog

Simple, Elegant System for Measurements of Optical Fibers, Glass and Ophthalmic Lenses to be Featured in Booth# 927

January 17, 2008 - Dunedin, FL – Ocean Optics (www.oceanoptics.com), the industry leader in miniature spectrometers will be introducing its new technology in Optical Transmittance Spectroscopy at this year’s Photonics West in Booth# 927.

The Optical Transmittance Spectrometer (OTS) is a compact system designed for accurate, repeatable real-time transmittance measurement of optical lenses and other optical components. The OTS is particularly useful for measuring tint color, photopic transmittance and UV cutoff of ophthalmic lenses and for characterizing photochromic, eletrochromic and sun lens materials.

The OTS covers the 380-1000 nm wavelength range and accepts samples from 10-76 mm diameter and 25.4 mm thickness. The system comprises several components:

- High-resolution miniature linear CCD-array spectrometer configured for 380-1000 nm

- High-power, 20-watt tungsten halogen light source

- Fiber optic integrating sphere for collecting signal transmitted through the sample

- Optics for improved beam collimation and spectral sensitivity distribution

- Sample fixture (z-stage) to hold sample in place and exclude ambient light

- Short optical fiber to channel signal from the integrating sphere to the spectrometer

The Ocean Optics team will be introducing this new technology and performing experiments for booth visitors. Additionally, the company will provide on-site quotes and technical support for the full range of products throughout the entire conference.

New Family of Miniature, Back-Thinned FFT-CCD Detector Spectrometers to be Featured in Booth# 927

January 17, 2008 - Dunedin, FL – Ocean Optics (www.oceanoptics.com), the industry leader in miniature spectrometers will be introducing its new family of Maya 2000 high-sensitivity back-thinned 2D FFT-CCD spectrometers at this year’s Photonics West in Booth# 927.

Particularly suited to low light-level, UV-sensitive applications, the Maya 2000 and the Maya 2000-Pro offer greater than 90% quantum efficiency, high dynamic range and excellent UV response at prices under $6,000.

While the Maya 2000 and Maya 2000-Pro offer similar performance for most parameters, the Maya 2000 has a slightly faster readout time while the Maya 2000-Pro provides a better dynamic range and signal-to-noise. Both spectrometers feature:

- 90% quantum efficiency

- USB 2.0 interface

- Low-noise electronics

- 14 grating options

- Detector collection lens option for enhanced signal collection

- Fully programmable strobe signals (single or continuous)

Maya 2000 Series spectrometers are ideal for low light-level applications such as fluorescence, DNA sequencing and Raman analysis.

The Ocean Optics team will be introducing this new technology and performing experiments for booth visitors. Additionally, the company will provide on-site quotes and technical support for the full range of products throughout the entire conference.

New Technology Enhances Signal in LIBS Applications

January 17, 2008 - DUNEDIN, FL – Ocean Optics (www.oceanoptics.com), the industry leader in miniature photonics, has today announced the production of the first commercial LIBS system employing a microwave cavity for signal enhancement. The system known as LAMPS^TM uses a proprietary microwave cavity design housed inside a sample chamber and separate power supply. The laser and microwave operation are controlled by Ocean Optics LIBS software or by an external TTL trigger. Precise timing and control is not required.

In laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), a single pulse from a high-intensity laser is focused on the sample area, exciting the sample and creating plasma – into which a trace amount of the sample has been ablated. As the plasma decays, excited elements in the plasma emit light at wavelengths that are distinct to each element. This emission is collected by a probe and sent to a high-resolution, multi-spectrometer system for analysis. Each scan provides full spectral analysis from 200-980 nm – the region in which all elements emit energy – with optical resolution of 0.1 nm (FWHM) and sensitivity to parts-per-billion. 

Materials applications include analyzing the composition of metal alloys used in products, monitoring laser welding plumes and identifying different compositions of metals in recycling centers. Additional applications include environmental monitoring, forensics and biomedical studies, military and safety needs and art restoration and conservation projects.

The plasma formed by laser ablation is injected into the cavity where the free electrons react with the microwaves. This produces greater signal strength, duration, and reproducibility for better quantitative analyses for most sample matrices. Sensitivity improvements > 1000 fold are reported. Now applications for a wide variety of analytes requiring greater sensitivity and less ablative sample damage are made possible with LAMPS.

Cash prize and grant to be awarded at BiOS Conference in San Jose, California

January 17, 2008 - Dunedin, FL – Ocean Optics (www.oceanoptics.com), the industry leader in miniature spectrometers, has announced the winner of their Young Investigator Award and will be presenting a cash prize and grant January 20, 2008 at the 4:50 pm session at this year’s BiOS Conference in Convention Center Room A5.

The award is presented to the author of the best juried paper during the Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications session, who is no more than 5 years out of school.

This year’s cash prize of $1,000 will be awarded to Graduate Student, Allison M. Dennis of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and author of Quantom dot-fluorescent protein FRET probes for protease activity. Additionally, Ocean Optics will award a $1,000 grant to Dennis’ advisor, Professor Gang Bao, Ph.D., the university’s Robert A. Milton Chair in Biomedical Engineering.

“Supporting and encouraging young scientists is something near and very dear to our hearts,” says Rob Randelman, President of Ocean Optics. “Young investigators represent the promise of our industry.”

CCD-array spectrometer ensures accurate color measurement critical to sorting reliability

Dunedin, Florida (December 20, 2007) – Ocean Optics miniature fiber optic spectrometers have been chosen by Huge Winners CNC System (Shenzhen, China) Co. Ltd. for use in its LED (Light Emitting Diode) sorting systems.  After experiencing reliability and accuracy problems with its existing supplier, Huge Winners elected to switch Ocean Optics’ USB4000 Miniature Fiber Optic Spectrometer, a 3648-element CCD-array spectrometer with enhanced resolution and on-board electronics for convenient integration of spectrometer operation.

Each LED manufactured is unique and has slightly different electronic and optical features, requiring that all LEDs be tested and sorted. In LED sorting machines, color measurement is critical to a machine’s reliability and the quality of its results.

Ocean Optics offered Huge Winners a comprehensive plan to dramatically improve the reliability of its LED sorting system. Following close cooperation between the two companies to develop a workable solution, Huge Winners decided to transfer all its business from its existing spectrophotometer supplier to Ocean Optics Asia, based in Shanghai.

With bulbs moving through their sorters at a rate of approximately 8,000 pieces per hour, speed was another important factor for Huge Winners in selecting a spectrometer.  Ocean Optics’ USB4000 measures and processes individual LED spectral data within 10 to 50 milliseconds.  Spectral data is quickly digitized and processed by computer for dominant and peak value wavelength, CIE color and irradiance (lumens).  Based on these results, the sorter then transports each individual bulb to the appropriate collection bin for storage.  Even under rigorous 18 hour work days, the USB4000 maintains consistent speed and accuracy.

The USB4000 Spectrometer selected by Huge Winners is distinguished by enhanced electronics: 16-bit A/D resolution for auto nulling (an enhanced electrical dark-signal correction); EEPROM storage of calibration coefficients for simple spectrometer start-up; 8 programmable GPIO signals for controlling peripheral devices; and an electronic shutter for spectrometer integration times as fast as 3.8 microseconds – a feature that prevents detector saturation. In addition, the USB4000 has signal-to-noise of 300:1, sensitivity of 130 photons/count at 400 nm, and optical resolution (FWHM) ranging from 0.3-10.0 nm.

About Ocean Optics
Headquartered in Dunedin, Fla., Ocean Optics is a leading supplier of solutions for optical sensing - fundamental methods of measuring and interpreting the interaction of light with matter.  With branch offices in Asia and Europe, the company has sold nearly 100,000 spectrometers worldwide since 1989.  Ocean Optics’ extensive line of complementary technologies including chemical sensors, analytical instrumentation, optical fibers, thin films and optics is also used for diverse applications in medical and biological research, environmental monitoring, science education, and entertainment lighting and display. The company is part of the Halma group of safety and detection companies.

About Huge Winners
Located in Shenzhen, Huge Winners CNC System (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (www.hwincnc.com) is a technology leader in LED manufacturing, testing and sorting machines, precision laser machines, PCB drilling machines and semiconductor laser min-machines. The company has over 150 employees and over 40% of its technicians are involved in research and development.

Spectrometer Manufacturer looks to annual conference to introduce new products
Dunedin, Florida (December 14, 2007) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, will exhibit new spectrometer products at the 2008 Photonics West Conference and Expo, January 22 – 24, 2008 in San Jose, California.

During the annual conference and expo, Ocean Optics will introduce updates to its product line of spectrometers and measuring instruments including its new Jaz modular sensing suite.

Developed by Ocean Optics to be a stackable, multi-module optical sensing solution, Jaz boasts remote sensing capabilities, has a powerful onboard microprocessor with OLED display and is available with a battery module for field work.

Situated in Booth# 927, Ocean Optics will offer demonstrations of Jaz and other systems, provide visitors technical assistance and generate on-the-spot quotations.

“We anticipate that this Photonics West will be the most exciting one yet for Ocean Optics,” says Rob Morris, Director of Marketing and Customer Relations. “There is so much that is new to share with attendees, including some exciting UV and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy technologies. But, people will be most amazed by Jaz, which we believe will change the entire face of optical sensing.”

CYMG color changers’ dichroic filter technology withstands temperatures where traditional gels melt

Dunedin, Florida (November 20, 2007) – Already a popular choice for theater and stage lighting, the SeaChanger xG Color Engine from Ocean Optics is now making waves in the architectural design community in an installation at the SAIC campus in McLean Virginia.  The CYMG color changer for ETC Source Four Ellipsoidal Spotlights uses robust dichroic filter technology, which requires no cooling, to create a virtually endless palette of stable, reproducible colors that do not shift or fade with time or temperature.

The main building of SAIC’s Virginia campus features a dramatic multi-story steel entrance.  The soaring grid of metal work is highlighted at night by shifting colored lights.  For the first year of the display, the architectural feature was lit by ETC Source Four Spotlights paired with traditional gel scrollers.  However, this configuration required constant maintenance as the lights overheated and melted the gels. 

With the help of lighting equipment experts Barbizon Capitol, SAIC went looking for a new architectural lighting solution.  “The challenges this space presented were its size and use requirements,” explained Tom Morris, SeaChanger Sales Specialist. “They needed a powerful light source to illuminate the large, multi-story space, which could also operate for eight hours per night without overheating.  The Source 4 and SeaChanger combination was the ideal solution.”

SAIC runs the eight SeaChangers and white Source Four 750 watt fixtures on an ETC Unison rack.  A timed event runs from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week, bathing the building in a continually shifting assortment of colors.

The SeaChanger’s dichroic filters provide higher transmission efficiency than gels and other filter materials, and their resistance to temperature and humidity means they stay cool, without noisy cooling fans.  The SeaChanger employs four patterned filters: cyan, yellow, magenta and a neutral density (dimmer) filter.  Users can configure filters in up to 4 billion combinations to create a nearly infinite variety of colors, from delicate pastels to deep, saturated primaries.  The xG model’s novel “Extreme Green” filter combines with the CYM color wheels to produce hexachromic colors, expanding the available gamut to include deeper reds, blues and greens.

The SeaChanger installs quickly and easily without tools.  The lightweight unit incorporates an internal power supply and 6-channel DMX controller and integrates easily in multiple architectural settings including corporate, school, museum and recreation venues.  It supports the Remote Device Management protocol and can be programmed for stand-alone operation. 

For more information on SeaChanger, contact Tom Morris at 727.545.0741 or SeaChanger@OceanOptics.com, or visit the product website at www.SeaChangerOnline.com. SeaChanger is also available through a network of theatrical lighting distributors.

Company expands R&D department to include specialist in Photonics, Optics and Laser Technology

Dunedin, Florida (November 12, 2007) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, has appointed Hwan Kim, Ph.D. as the company’s new Optical Research Scientist.

Dr. Kim comes to Ocean Optics with an extensive background in photonics, optics and lasers with both theoretical and practical experience.  In his new role at Ocean Optics he will focus on characterizing and supporting the company’s existing products while helping to develop the next generation of optical measurement technologies.

A Ph.D. graduate of Optical Physics from the School of Optics/CREOL at the University of Central Florida, Dr. Kim earned his Masters of Science and Bachelors of Science from Pusan National University in South Korea.

New distributor headed up by former company president

Dunedin, Florida (October 12, 2007) – Ocean Optics, Inc. has appointed SpectrEcology, LLC as a distributor of its line of miniature spectrometers, fiber optics, chemical sensors and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) systems.  SpectrEcology was formed by Mike Morris, former president and founder of Ocean Optics, and will provide engineering and support services to introduce Ocean Optics’ technologies into new market areas.

SpectrEcology will focus on clients who need assistance with field science applications, in-situ or environmental applications such as heavy metals detection, oxygen and pH measurements, natural coloration and color vision, ultra fast laser characterization and radiometric measurements.  Spectrometer use is increasing in a wide variety of applications from agriculture to consumer product manufacturing lines.  SpectrEcology will provide customers with hands on expertise in incorporating this technology into their operations.

SpectrEcology founder Mike Morris has more than 20 years of experience developing oceanographic instrumentation.  Morris founded pHish Doctor, Inc. in 1988 to manufacture and distribute pH sensors for aquariums.  In 1989, he founded Ocean Optics and was awarded two Small Business Innovation Research grants that led to the development of the world’s first miniature spectrometer.  Since its inception, Ocean Optics has sold nearly 100,000 spectrometers and has developed over 1,500 new products.  In 2004, Ocean Optics was sold to Halma, plc a U.K.-based public company.

For more information, visit www.SpectrEcology.com, or contact SpectrEcology, LLC at 727.230.1697 or info@SpectrEcology.com.

Rob Randelman takes helm at Dunedin-based photonics manufacturer

Dunedin, Florida (October 5, 2007) – Ocean Optics, leading spectroscopy and photonic instruments manufacturer, has promoted Rob Randelman, Ph.D. to the position of company President.  Randelman’s appointment follows the move of former President and company founder, Mike Morris, to the position of Vice Chairman for the company.

Randelman joined Ocean Optics in 2006 as Vice President, Sales & Marketing and has been instrumental in driving the company’s continued sales and profit growth.  He has directed the expansion of the company’s geographic presence, which included the establishment of a full sales and service facility based in Shanghai, China. 

Prior to Ocean Optics, Randelman served as Director of secure electronic payment technology company, VeriFone, where he directed a $40M services division.  His career also included management stints with Hewlett Packard and Exxon.  Before progressing to industrial management positions, Randelman worked in miniature fiber optic sensor and spectrometer research.  He earned Doctorate and Master of Science in Engineering degrees in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University (Bethlehem, Pa.) and dual undergraduate degrees in Physics and Chemistry from Ursinus College (Collegeville, Pa.).

“Having been on both the academic side and the technology management side during my career, I feel like I bring a unique perspective to Ocean Optics,” said Randelman.  “I’m looking forward to using that experience to help the company continue on its successful track and look for ways to better serve our end users.”