The Sol™ 1.7 from B&W Tek is a high-performance linear InGaAs array spectrometer including 512 pixels with TE cooling down to −5 °C. The system also offers high throughput and a huge dynamic range.
The spectrometer is equipped with an integrated 16-bit digitizer and an SMA 905 fiber-optic input. It is also USB 2.0 plug-and-play compatible. Thanks to B&W Tek’s spectral acquisition software, users can choose between High Dynamic and High Sensitivity Range mode within their preconfigured spectral range. The instrument comes with tailored spectral resolution and application support.
Applications
- Quality control
- Process monitoring
- On-line analyzer
- NIR spectroscopy
- Material identification
Features
- Spectral range varies between 900 and 1700 nm
- Comes with built-in 16-bit digitizer
- Two gain modes for particular application requirements
- Resolution as fine as 0.35 nm
- Thermoelectric cooling down to −20 °C
- 256- and 1024-pixel configurations available
Accessories
- Light sources
- Fiber sample holders
- Fiber sampling probes
- Fiber patch cords
Thermoelectric Cooler
Using a built-in thermoelectric cooler (TEC) to cool an array detector is an effective method to decrease dark current and noise, as well as to improve the detection limit and dynamic range.
Cooling the InGaAs array detector from an ambient temperature of 25 °C down to −10 °C by the TEC reduces the dark noise by 3.5 times and the dark current by 12.25 times. This enables the spectrometer to detect weaker optical signals and function at longer exposure times.
Specifications
Table 1. Source: B&W Tek
| |
|
| DC Power Input |
5 V DC @ 3.5 Amps |
| AC Adapter Input |
100 - 240 VAC 50/60 Hz, 0.5 A @ 120 VAC |
| Detector Type |
Linear InGaAs Array |
| Pixels |
512 x 1 @ 25 µm x 500 µm per element |
| Spectrograph f/# |
3.5 |
| Spectrograph Optical Layout |
Crossed Czerny-Turner |
| Dynamic Range |
High Dynamic Range mode: 100,000:1
High Sensitivity mode: 6,250:1 |
| Digitizer Resolution |
16-bit or 65,535:1 |
| Readout Speed |
500 kHz |
| Data Transfer Speed |
>200 spectra per second via USB 2.0 |
| Integration Time |
200 µs to >= 64 seconds |
| External Trigger |
Aux port |
| Operating Temperature |
0 °C – 35 °C |
| TE Cooling |
-5 °C @ relative humidity = 90% (-20 °C option available) |
| Weight |
~ 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) |
| Dimensions |
7.8 in x 4.3 in x 2.7 in (197 mm x 109 mm x 68 mm) |
| Computer Interface |
USB 2.0 / 1.1 |
| Operating Systems |
Windows: 7, 8, 8.1 (32-bit & 64-bit) |
Entrance Slit
Table 2. Source: B&W Tek
Slit
Option |
Dimensions |
Approximate Resolution
900 -1700 nm |
| 25 µm |
25 µm wide x 1 mm high |
~4.0 nm |
| 50 µm |
50 µm wide x 1 mm high |
~5.0 nm |
| 100 µm |
100 µm wide x 1 mm high |
~8.4 nm |
| Custom slit widths available |
Diffraction Grating
Table 3. Source: B&W Tek
Spectral
Coverage (nm) |
Grating |
Approximate Resolution
25 µm Slit |
| 1500 - 1600 |
1000/1310 |
0.35 nm |
| 1260 - 1355 |
1000/1310 |
0.4 nm |
| 1450 - 1650 |
600/1200 |
0.8 nm |
| 1200 - 1400 |
600/1200 |
0.7 nm |
| 900 - 1300 |
300/1200 |
1.5 nm |
| 1200 - 1600 |
300/1200 |
1.5 nm |
| 900 - 1700 |
150/1250 |
4.0 nm |
| Custom configurations available |
Software
BWSpec® from B&W Tek is a spectral data acquisition software with an extensive range of tools that have been developed to execute complicated calculations and measurements just by clicking a button.
It enables the user to select between multiple data formats and enables setting of optimized scanning parameters, like integration time. Besides powerful data processing and data acquisition, it also offers other features such as manual/auto baseline correction, spectrum smoothing and automatic dark removal.
Image Credit: B&W Tek
Spectrograph
Image Credit: B&W Tek