Spectroscopy - May 2008 - (Page 31)

MAY 2008 SPECTROSCOPY GLOBAL EDITION 31 mercury analysis. The instrument, the Milestone DMA-80, does not require sample preparation, it features a 40position autosampler for unattended operation, and it completes an analysis in five minutes. One of my own pet areas of interest is small and micro-sized spectrometers. I have covered some that have been targeted toward specific applications. In this final part of the instrument section, I would like to focus on some companies and products that are continuing to bring new and innovative instruments and instrumentation platforms. Often, these small spectrometers can be and are integrated into customdesigned instruments for target applications. Other times, these products serve as a convenient (size-wise) or inexpensive way to do spectroscopy. Probably the first and best known company in the area of small spectrometers is Ocean Optics (OOI), and they have introduced new products at Pittcon. The first is the Maya2000 Pro, a high-sensitivity back-thinned 2D FFTCCD spectrometer for low light level and for UV-sensitive applications. The spectrometer provides better than 90% quantum efficiency with a wide dynamic range, and excellent UV response. It is interfaced with fiber optics, via SMA connectors, with light sources and sampling accessories. Another notable product introduced by OOI was Jaz, a family of stackable, modular components that come together to form a customized spectrometer system. The modules share common electronics and communications (including Ethernet connectivity for Internet addressability – via IP addresses), and can be powered via a rechargeable battery. The system does not require a PC for operations and has its own user interface, reminiscent of a gaming system controller, with an integrated display and data storage (via SD card). Another strong player in the small instrument market is Avantes (Broomfield, Colorado). The Avantes products cover a wide spectral range, and new products were offered covering UV and NIR spectral ranges. In the case of the NIR, the company introduced the AvaSpec-256-2.5 fiber-optic spectrometer. This is a low-cost, fiber-optic–based spectrometer designed to cover the spectral range of 1100–2500 nm. Also introduced by Avantes was the AvaSpec2048x14, a high sensitivity spectrometer, designed for OEM applications and ease of integration. The spectrometer can be powered via USB, external power, or battery. It features a high-sensitivity backthinned CCD for good UV and NIR (short-wave NIR) performance. Back in 2005, I was looking for a small NIR spectrometer system for integration into a handheld analyzer project. I used Pittcon 2005 as a means to survey new instrumentation, and in particular, what was new in small spectrometers. That timeframe was ripe because many technology products were being introduced

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Spectroscopy - May 2008

Spectroscopy - May 2008 Contents A Pragmatic Approach to Managing Interferences in ICP-MS Pittcon 2008: Back to New Orleans and Coffee and Beignets for Breakfast News Market Profile Calendar

Spectroscopy - May 2008

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