Features

High performance, low power scientific camera

The model 78855 LineSpec camera is a 2048 x 1 active pixel CCD camera. Each pixel is 14 µm x 200 µm. This low power model does not require an external power supply or forced air-cooling, so it operates silently. The 78855 is powered by a USB 2.0 connection to a computer. The minimum cycle/exposure time that can be achieved with or without the external trigger 5 ms. In order to achieve this, an exposure time of zero must be specified. This minimal exposure time can be sustained as long as internal buffer space is available. A key performance parameter for the CCD is the maximum signal to noise ratio achievable by the camera. CCD sensors create high quality, low-noise images. Compared to CMOS sensors, a CCD sensor is far less susceptible to noise, making it ideally suited to spectroscopy applications. In short, CCD detectors are optimum for low signal measurements.

External trigger capability

The LineSpec camera features an SMB connector used to provide an external trigger. The trigger activates on a low to high transition. When the trigger function is active, it effectively replaces the image interval time that would otherwise be set through the software. When a trigger occurs, it will begin the exposure period and wait for the exposure time, and then it will read out the frame. After the readout, it will immediately begin the next frame by waiting for the next trigger signal. A standard TTL signal is required for triggering, where 0.8V or lower is considered "low" and 2.4 V or greater is considered "high".

Includes software and LabVIEW™ examples

The LineSpec software package is included with each camera at no extra cost. It provides an intuitive user interface to control the camera and acquire data. The software functions with Windows XP and Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) operating systems. The software supports routine spectroscopic measurements and data acquisition, such as. Scans may be run as single, continuous, single or averaged. Users may adjust the exposure, running averages, and inter-sampling wait duration in real time. The software may be used to perform absorption, transmission and emission spectra measurements. It may be used with any spectrograph, provided the camera can be physically installed onto the instrument, as the software does not control the spectrograph.

Simple calibration process

To ensure wavelength accuracy, the LineSpec software includes a calibration feature. By using a light source with a known set of spectral lines, the software fits a standard quadratic regression through the known peaks. Newport offers a wide selection of calibration light sources, depending on the spectral range of interest.

Attaches easily to Oriel MS125 and MS260i spectrographs

Adapters are available to couple the LineSpec camera to the Oriel MS125 spectrograph and MS260i imaging spectrograph. This makes an effective UV spectrometer, UV-VIS spectrometer, or VIS-IR spectrometer solution. Each MS260i model sold includes a LineSpec adapter at the axial output port. For those wishing to use the MS125, the spectrograph, camera, adapter, grating, and slit can be ordered together under model number 78877. The LineSpec adapters may also be ordered separately to refit instruments already in the field.