The Sol™ 2.2A spectrometer from B&W Tek is a high-performance linear InGaAs array spectrometer that features 256 pixels and offers high throughput and a large dynamic range, together with TE cooling down to −5 °C through a built-in 3-stage cooler.
The spectrometer is provided with a built-in 16-bit digitizer and SMA 905 fiber optic input, and is USB 2.0 plug-and-play compatible. The integrated autozero function automatically decreases dark current and dark non-uniformity, thus ensuring an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio.
Software control enables the user to select from four different operation modes: Maximum Dynamic, Maximum Sensitivity, High Sensitivity and High Dynamic. Moreover, tailored spectral resolution and application support are available
Applications
- Quality control
- Material identification
- NIR spectroscopy
- Process monitoring
- On-line analyzer
Features
- Spectral range of 900 to 2200 nm
- Thermoelectric cooling down to −15 °C
- Built-in autozero (noise level reduction)
- Resolution as fine as 9.0 nm
- Four sensitivity and dynamic range modes available for particular application requirements
Accessories
- Fiber sample holders
- Fiber patch cords
- Fiber sampling probes
- Light sources
Thermoelectric Cooler
Cooling an array detector with a built-in thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is an efficient method not just to decrease dark current and noise but also to improve the dynamic range and detection limit.
Upon cooling the InGaAs array detector from a room temperature of 25 °C down to −15 °C by the TEC, the dark current is decreased by ~32 times and the dark noise is reduced by ~5.7 times. This enables the spectrometer to detect weaker optical signals and work at longer exposure times.
Specifications
Table 1. Source: B&W Tek
| . |
. |
| DC Power Input |
5 V DC @ 5 amps |
| AC Adapter Input |
100 - 240 VAC 50/60 Hz, 1.0 A @ 120 VAC |
| Detector Type |
Linear InGaAs Array |
| Pixels |
256 x 1 @ 50 µm x 250 µm per element |
| Spectrograph f/# |
3.5 |
| Spectrograph Optical Layout |
Crossed Czerny-Turner |
| Dynamic Range |
Maximum Dynamic mode: 25,000:1
High Dynamic mode: 12,500:1
High Sensitivity mode: 12,500:1
Maximum Sensitivity mode: 1,700:1 |
| Digitizer Resolution |
16-bit or 65,535:1 |
| Readout Speed |
500 kHz |
| Data Transfer Speed |
>300 spectra per second via USB 2.0 |
| Integration Time |
250 µs to >= 64 Seconds |
| External Trigger |
Aux port |
| Operating Temperature |
0 °C - 35 °C |
| TE Cooling |
Three-Stage: -15 °C @ relative humidity = 90% |
| Weight |
~ 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) |
| Dimensions |
7.5 in x 4.3 in x 2.7 in (192 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) |
Spectrograph
Image Credit: B&W Tek
Entrance Slit
Table 2. Source: B&W Tek
Slit
Option |
Dimensions |
Approximate Resolution
1100 - 2200 nm |
| 50 µm |
50 µm wide x 1 mm high |
~9.0 nm |
| 100 µm |
100 µm wide x 1 mm high |
~18.0 nm |
| Custom slit widths available |
Diffraction Grating
Table 3. Source: B&W Tek
Spectral
Coverage (nm) |
Grating |
Approximate Resolution
50 µm Slit |
| 1100-2200 |
100/1600 |
9.0 nm |
| 900-2200 |
85/1350 |
15.0 nm |
| Custom configurations available |
Software
The BWSpec® software available from B&W Tek is a spectral data acquisition software with an extensive range of tools developed to carry out complicated calculations and measurements just by clicking a button.
It enables the user to select between multiple data formats and provides optimization of scanning parameters, such as integration time. Besides robust data acquisition and data processing, other features of the software are spectrum smoothing, manual or auto baseline correction, and automatic dark removal.
Image Credit: B&W Tek