Ocean Optics Introduces Its Highest-sensitivity Spectrometer

The QE65000 Achieves up to 90% Quantum Efficiency in Demanding Low-light Level Applications 

Dunedin, Fla., March 2005 -- Ocean Optics introduces the QE65000 Spectrometer, a novel combination of detector, optical bench and electronics technologies that provides users with a remarkably sensitive system for demanding low-light level applications such as fluorescence, DNA sequencing, astronomy and Raman spectroscopy. The QE65000 can achieve up to 90% quantum efficiency with high signal-to-noise and rapid signal processing speed.

The QE65000 has a Hamamatsu back-thinned detector with great response in the UV. The detector has a 2-D arrangement of pixels (1044 horizontal x 64 vertical) that is responsive from 200-1100 nm. The detector’s columns are binned, or summed, inside the detector prior to the readout process, thereby minimizing readout noise. Additionally, the detector can be cooled down to -10 ºC with the onboard TE-cooler to reduce dark noise. The reduction of noise and dark signal allows integration times of the spectrometer of up to 10 minutes, which greatly enhances the detection limit in low-light level applications.

The combination of the spectrometer’s low-noise detector and 16-bit A/D Converter delivers a dynamic range of 25000:1 and a signal-to-noise ratio of >1000:1.

The QE65000’s onboard module has 10 user-programmable digital I/O lines for interfacing to other equipment; and a pulse generator for triggering other devices. Users can use the I/Os to flash a lamp, stop/start a process, and send a message/alarm during the spectrometer’s integration period. The spectrometer’s operating parameters can be controlled through software. In fact, wavelength calibration coefficients unique to each spectrometer are programmed into a memory chip right on the spectrometer.

TheQE65000’s high-speed electronics have been designed for considerable flexibility in connecting to various modules and external interfaces -- including PCs, PLCs and other embedded controllers -- through USB 2.0 or RS-232 communications. Its USB 2.0 interface enables full spectral scans into memory every 7 milliseconds.

The QE65000 operates via USB interface. A +5 VDC external power supply is required for the TE-cooler and to operate the spectrometer via an RS-232 interface.

The QE65000 is available for $9,999.

Contact an Ocean Optics Applications Scientist