Ocean Optics ARCoptix ANIR User Manual

ARCoptix ANIR

Fourier Transform Spectrometer
An ARCoptix Product

Installation and Operation Manual

Document Number ARC-00000-000-02-0310

Offices:

E-mail: [e-mail] (General sales inquiries)

Ocean Optics, Inc. World Headquarters

830 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, FL, USA 34698

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]

8 a.m.– 8 p.m. (Mon-Thu), 8 a.m.– 6 p.m. (Fri) EST

[e-mail] (Questions about orders)
[e-mail] (Technical support)

Ocean Optics offers the most comprehensive, innovative and high-quality line of modular
spectroscopy tools in the world. We have partnered with ARCoptix (

www.arcoptix.com) to offer

their ARCoptix ANIR FTS spectrometer to work with our SpectraSuite Spectrometer Operating
Software. We invite you to contact us at Ocean Optics, Inc. (see front cover for contact information)
or ARCoptix S.A. with any technical questions, comments, or applications inquiries. ARCoptix can
be contacted at the following location:

ARCoptix S.A.

Trois Portes 18

2000 Neuchâtel

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E – mail: [e-mail]

Copyright © 2009 – ARCoptix, 2010 – Ocean Optics

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from ARCoptix.
This manual is sold as part of an order and subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out
or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of ARCoptix and Ocean Optics in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it
is published.

Trademarks

All products and services herein are the trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of their respective
owners.

Limit of Liability

Every effort has been made to make this manual as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The
information provided is on an “as is” basis. ARCoptix and Ocean Optics shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity
with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this manual.

Table of Contents

About This Manual .............................................................................................................iii

Document Purpose and Intended Audience..............................................................................iii

Document Summary ..................................................................................................................iii

Product-Related Documentation ............................................................................................... iii

Upgrades ................................................................................................................................... iii

Warranty .................................................................................................................................... iv

Chapter 1: Introduction .....................................................................1

Overview.............................................................................................................................1

Benefits of the ARCoptix ANIR Spectrometer ...................................................................1

Product Description............................................................................................................2

Models Available ................................................................................................................4

Items Included with Shipment............................................................................................4

Chapter 2: Installing the Spectrometer ............................................5

Overview.............................................................................................................................5

Installation Overview ..........................................................................................................5

ARCoptix Software Installation ..........................................................................................6

Installing SpectraSuite-Hub Software........................................................................................6

Modifying Windows Firewall Settings ........................................................................................ 13

Configuring the ANIR Spectrometer .......................................................................................... 13

Hardware Installation .........................................................................................................14

Chapter 3: Using the Spectrometer.................................................. 15

Overview.............................................................................................................................15

Starting the SpectraSuite-Hub Service..............................................................................15

Starting the SpectraSuite-Hub Controller Utility on Vista .......................................................... 16

Using SpectraSuite.............................................................................................................16

Gain Setting........................................................................................................................18

Shutting Down ....................................................................................................................18

Chapter 4: Troubleshooting..............................................................19

Overview.............................................................................................................................19

Maintenance.......................................................................................................................19

Troubleshooting Tips..........................................................................................................19

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 i

About This Manual

Appendix A: How the ARCoptix ANIR Works ..................................23

Overview ..................................................................................................................................23

Principle of Operation ..............................................................................................................23

Reference Laser ......................................................................................................................25

Resolution ................................................................................................................ 25

Detector Nonlinearity................................................................................................ 25

Noise ........................................................................................................................ 26

Appendix B: Specifications............................................................... 27

Index ...................................................................................................29

ii ARC-000000-000-02-0310

About This Manual

Document Purpose and Intended Audience

This document provides the user of ARCoptix ANIR Series FTS Spectrometers with instructions for
setting up, and performing experiments with their spectrometer.

Document Summary

Chapter Description

Contains descriptive information about the ARCoptix Spectrometer

Chapter 1: Introduction

and how sampling works. It also provides a list of system
requirements, interface options, and shipment components.

Chapter 2: Installing the

Spectrometer

Chapter 3: Using the

Spectrometer

Chapter 4:Troubleshooting

Appendix A: How the

ARCoptix ANIR Works

Appendix B: Specifications

Provides hardware and software installation instructions.

Describes how to use operate the spectrometer with SpectraSuite
software.

Contains recommended steps to isolate and correct common
problems.

Discusses Arcspectro ANIR technology.

Contains technical specifications for the ARCoptix ANIR Series
Spectrometer.

Product-Related Documentation

You can access documentation for Ocean Optics products by visiting our website at
http://www.oceanoptics.com. Select Technical → Operating Instructions, then choose the
appropriate document from the available drop-down lists. Or, use the Search by Model Number field
at the bottom of the web page.

Detailed instructions for SpectraSuite Spectrometer Operating Software is located at:

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/SpectraSuite.pdf.

Upgrades

SpectraSuite software updates will be available from Ocean Optics, Inc. from our Software
Downloads web page:

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 iii

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/softwaredownloads.asp.

About This Manual

Occasionally, you may find that you need to make a change or an upgrade to your system. To
facilitate these changes, you must first contact Customer Support to obtain a Return Merchandise
Authorization. Please contact Ocean Optics for specific instructions when returning a product.

Warranty

This product is covered by a limited 1-year warranty that starts 30 days after purchasing hteh
spectrometer. Using the equipment in a manner not specified by this manual may impair the
protection provided by the equipment. Information in this document is subject to change without
notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of ARCoptix S.A. or Ocean Optics, Inc. No
responsibility is assumed by ARCoptix S.A. for the use of this software, hardware or other rights of
third parties resulting from its use. The software described in this document is furnished under a
license agreement and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The
user may make a single copy of the software for archival purposes.

ARCoptix S.A. and Ocean Optics, Inc. (or Seller) warrants that its products will be free from defects
in materials and workmanship under normal use and service in general process conditions for the
effective period set out below. This warranty and its remedies are in lieu of all other warranties
expressed or implied, oral or written, either in fact or by operation of law, statutory or otherwise,
including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, which Seller specifically
disclaims. Seller shall have no liability for incidental or consequential damages of any kind arising out
of the sale, installation, or use of its products. Seller’s obligation under this warranty shall not arise
until Buyer notifies Seller of the defect. Seller’s sole responsibility under this warranty is, at its
option, to replace or repair any defective component part of the product within the warranty period.
Except in the case of an authorized distributor or seller, authorized in writing by Seller to extend this
warranty to the distributor’s customers, the warranty herein applies only to Buyer as the original
purchaser from Seller and may not be assigned, sold, or otherwise transferred to a third party. No
warranty is made with respect to used, reconstructed, refurbished, or previously owned Products,
which will be so marked on the sales order and will be sold “As Is”.

BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THAT THE
SELLER EITHER AGREES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE, AT SELLER’S SOLE OPTION, ANY
PART OR PARTS OF SUCH PRODUCTS THAT UNDER PROPER AND NORMAL
CONDITIONS OF USE, PROVE(S) TO BE DEFECTIVE WITHIN THE APPLICABLE
WARRANTY PERIOD. ALTERNATELY, SELLER MAY AT ANY TIME, IN ITS SOLE
DISCRETION, ELECT TO DISCHARGE ITS WARRANTY OBLIGATION HEREUNDER BY
ACCEPTING THE RETURN OF ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT PURSUANT TO THE TERMS
SET FORTH HEREIN AND REFUNDING THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY BUYER.

iv ARC-000000-000-02-0310

About This Manual

Place of Service

Seller shall use its best efforts to assist buyer to resolve all warranty related issues through Ocean
Optics technical support as soon as reasonably practicable after notification by the Buyer of a possible
defect. However, the Seller reserves the right to require the Buyer return the Product to Seller’s
production facility, transportation charges prepaid, when necessary, to provide proper warranty
service.

Effective Date

The effective date of this warranty shall begin on the date of shipment/date of invoice, whichever is
later. Products are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for parts and labor
for 1 year with the exceptions indicated below:

Limitations

Products are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for parts and labor for 1
year with the following exceptions:

 Any components of the system that are in direct contact with corrosive materials are

warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship at time of delivery but cannot
be further warranted due to the unknown nature of the use of the product.

 Consumable items such as lamps, cuvettes and optical filters are excluded from this warranty.

If a lamp undergoes a catastrophic failure (e.g., no light at all) within 90 days of shipment
from the factory, it will be replaced at no charge.

 Loss, damage, or defects resulting from transportation to the Buyer’s facility, improper or

inadequate maintenance by Buyer, software or interfaces supplied by the buyer, unauthorized
modification or operation outside the environmental specifications for the instrument, use by
unauthorized or untrained personnel or improper site maintenance or preparation.

 The sole and exclusive warranty applicable to software and firmware products provided by

Seller for use with a processor internal or external to the Product will be as follows: Seller
warrants that such software and firmware will conform to Seller’s program manuals or other
publicly available documentation made available by Seller current at the time of shipment to
Buyer when properly installed on that processor, provided however that Seller does not
warrant the operation of the processor or software or firmware will be uninterrupted or error
free.

 Products that have been altered or repaired by individuals other than Ocean Optics personnel

or its duly authorized representatives, unless the alteration or repair has been performed by an
authorized factory trained service technician in accordance with written procedures supplied
by Ocean Optics.

 Products that have been subject to misuse, neglect, accident, or improper installation.

The warranty herein applies only to Products within the country of original delivery. Products
transferred outside the country of original delivery, either by the Seller at the direction of the Buyer or
by Buyer’s actions subsequent to delivery, may be subject to additional charges prior to warranty
repair or replacement of such Products based on the actual location of such Products and Seller’s
warranty and/or service surcharges for such location(s).

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 v

About This Manual

vi ARC-000000-000-02-0310

Chapter 1

Introduction

Overview

The heart of an ARCoptix ANIR FTS Spectrometer is an interferometer module that contains a
micromechanical device, actuation and driving electronics. Additionally there is a laser based feed­back system to control the motion of the micromechanical device. Dedicated optical components bring
the light onto the surface of the interferometer mirrors, as well as fibers for in-coupling and out­coupling of light.

The interferometer module is packaged in a friendly cover including the detection board, all necessary
electronics with the A/D converter and the USB data transfer. The instrument is USB powered.

Figure 1-1

In Figure 1 – 1, the Fourier transform is based on the lamellar grating concept. One distinguishes the
input for the optical fiber for bringing the light to the spectrometer. The whole spectrometer is low
consumption. Data transfer to the computer and powered supply are done by the USB plug.

Benefits of the ARCoptix ANIR Spectrometer

The concept of lamellar grating interference (LGI) leads to a drastic simplification of the assembly and
alignment tolerances. Because of the use of the LGI, a different type of actuation could be used,
making the whole device extremely compact. In fact, there is no need of placing a beamsplitter in the
light path. To assure highest precision, a low power laser is used to control of the position of the
scanning system.

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 1

1: Introduction

Thanks to micromechanics technology and to the LGI concept, this instrument could have been made
compact enough to be portable and, because of the principle, easily upgradeable to any much larger
wavelength ranges. The limitation in wavelength range is not due to the concept, but due to the
photodetector that is used. In the standard model the detection of the interferogram is carried with one
single InGaAs photodiode. A single photodiode instead of a CCD line leads to lower noise and cost­effective detection solutions, particularly in the near-IR. In addition, the choice of available detectors
is much larger than CCD and it is therefore easier to dedicate a detector to specific needs. There is no
risk of defective pixels as it is generally the case for conventional NIR spectrometers using arrays of
photodiodes.

As a result, this instrument is unrivaled and perfectly suited for detection in transmission like
measurement of gases and liquids. In particular, the absorption signatures of gases are measured with
high accuracy. The instrument is capable of recording 2 spectra per second but needs more time for
processing so that an effective measurement time results that might be larger.

The spectrometer provides a number of important benefits including the following:

 Laser controlled interferometer
 Choice of resolution
 Different amplification levels
 Data acquisition in 500 ms with an effective measurement time of 5 s
 A minimum power requirement - The spectrometer is driven by a standard USB 2.0 port

of a personal computer.

 The performance is unaffected by stray light
 The system is compact and lightweight.

The spectrometer is typically employed as a part of a system that includes a source and a sample
holder (a cuvette holder or a reflectance sphere). As an example, the spectrometer can be used with
the Tungsten Halogen Light Source and the Holder for 1-cm cuvettes. The source and cuvette holder
or reflectance sphere are acquired separately. As an alternative, the spectrometer can be directly
connected to the source to obtain the spectrum provided by the source).

The ARCoptix Near-Infrared Spectrometer can be used in a broad range of applications including

 Portable Field Measurements
 Laboratory Analyses
 Industrial Process Control

Product Description

The ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer is a lamellar grating spectrometer that combines the advantages of
Fourier Spectroscopy with micromechanics technology. The first gives exciting optical features while
the second leads to miniaturization and reliable operation. A lamellar grating interferometer is a
grating that operates in the zeroth order. This particular type of apparatus was invented by Strong [J.
Strong, and G. A. Vanasse, “Lamellar grating far-infrared interferometer”, J. Opt. Soc. Am. 50, 113­118 (1960). A scheme of the principle is illustrated in the Fig. 1.2 below.

2 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

1: Introduction

Figure 1-2

Figure 1- 2 shows the principle of operation of a LGI. Incoming light is reflected back by a series of
fixed and mobile mirrors acting as a grating and generating a diffraction pattern. To obtain the
interferogram one records the modulation of the zero order in function of the motion of the mobile
mirrors. The path difference (or depth of the grating)

x is an important parameter and given by the

distance between the fixed and the mobile mirrors.

Contrary to the Michelson interferometer that splits wave amplitudes at the beamsplitter, the lamellar
grating interferometer divides the wavefront. At the grating, the wavefront is divided such that one
half of the beam is reflected from the front facets (fixed mirrors in Fig. 1 - 2) and one half from the
back facets (mobile mirrors in Fig. 1 - 2). The distance between the two series of mirrors determines
the optical path difference (OPD)

x between the two parts of the wave. The enormous advantage of

this configuration, compared with a Michelson interferometer, is the absence of a beamsplitter.
Indeed, any additional micro-optical component is a limitation in the particular case of micro-sized



spectrometers. In general, this type of spectrometer is used for wavelengths larger than 100

m;

below, the tolerances are too tight for most machine shops.

The ARCoptix ANIR (Near Infrared) Fiber Optic Fourier Transform Spectrometer connects to a
notebook or desktop PC via a USB 2.0 port. It does not require an external power supply. The
ARCoptix ANIR and the electronics share a single housing.

The ARCoptix ANIR can connect via the USB 2.0 port to any PC that uses a Windows XP/Vista
operating system and has spectrometer operating software installed and configured for use with your
ARCoptix ANIR.

An EEPROM memory chip in each ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer contains calibration coefficients,
coefficients, and the serial number unique to each spectrometer. ARCoptix spectrometer operating
software reads these values from the spectrometer.

The ARCoptix ANIR has two input connectors:

 FSMA receptacle that accepts a fiber optic cable with a standard SMA-905 connector

 USB port that connects to a USB host via a standard USB cable

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 3

1: Introduction

Models Available

The following ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer models are available form Ocean Optics:

ANIR 0.9-1.7 ANIR 0.9-2.6 ANIR 2.0-4.5

Spectral Range 900-1700 nm 900-2600 2000-4500

Signal to Noise >1:1000 >1:1000 >1:1000

Detector Type InGaAs InGaAs MCT

Items Included with Shipment

Important information and documentation accompany your ARCoptix NIR spectrometer shipment.

This includes:

 Packing List – The packing list is located inside a plastic bag attached to the outside of the

shipment box (the invoice is mailed separately). The items listed on the packing slip include
all of the components in the order. The packing list also includes important information, such
as the shipping and billing addresses, as well as any components on back order.

 Software CD – Each spectrometer order comes with the Software & Technical Resources CD.

This disc contains Ocean Optics software and manuals for software operation, spectrometers,
and spectroscopic accessories. Documentation is provided in Portable Document Format
(PDF). You need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6.0 or higher to view these files.

4 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

Chapter 2

Installing the Spectrometer

Overview

You must install the SpectraSuite spectrometer operating software application prior to connecting the
ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer to the PC. The ARCoptix spectrometer operating software installs the
drivers required for Windows to communicate with the ARCoptix ANIR. If you do not install the
software first, the system will not properly recognize the ARCoptix ANIR.

If you have already connected the ANIR Spectrometer to the PC prior to installing the software,
consult Chapter 4:

Follow the steps in this section to interface the ARCoptix ANIR Spectrometer via the USB port to a
desktop or notebook PC.

To connect the ANIR Spectrometer to a PC via the USB port, the PC must be running the XP/Vista
operating system.

package

.

Troubleshooting for information on correcting a corrupt installation.

You also must have administrator privileges in order to run the installation

Installation Overview

Spectrometer installation consists of the following main tasks:

► Procedure

1. Install SpectraSuite spectrometer operating software on the destination computer. See the

SpectraSuite Spectrometer Operating Software Installation and Operation Manual (refer to

Product-Related Documentation) for more information on installing SpectraSuite.

2. Install SpectraSuiteHub.msi on the destination computer. This is a bundled utilities Windows
service that provides access to the spectrometer. See
information.

3. Reboot the system.

4.

After installing all software files, connect the spectrometer to your computer using the USB
cable (USB-CBL-1) that came with the ANIR Spectrometer. See
more information.

Note

Windows XP users may encounter a Hardware Installation warning window regarding
Windows XP driver testing. Click the
an expected warning.

Continue Installation button at this screen, as this is

ARCoptix Software Installation for more

Hardware Installation for

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 5

2: Installing the Spectrometer

ARCoptix Software Installation

The ARCoptix spectrometer can only be controlled via ARCoptix’s proprietary driver. Thus, a
compatibility layer (SpectraSuiteHub.msi) is necessary to allow SpectraSuite communicate with this
driver.

You can install the SpectraSuite-Hub on any 32-bit Windows computer. Typically you will install it
on the same computer on which SpectraSuite was installed, but this is not a requirement. If you
choose to install the SpectraSuite-Hub on a remote computer (any computer other than the one on
which SpectraSuite was installed), you must modify the Windows firewall settings. See

Windows Firewall Settings for more information.

Installing SpectraSuite-Hub Software

The ARCoptix spectrometer requires version 3.0, or later, of the Microsoft .NET framework. On some
systems, it may be necessary to install this version.

.NET Framework 3.0

If your PC does not have the required version of the .NET framework, the SpectraSuite-Hub
installer will detect this and remind you to install the .NET framework before proceeding:

Modifying

To install the required version of the .NET framework, click OK on this prompt or double­click on the dotnetfx3setup.exe installer utility in the directory containing the SpectraSuite­Hub installer. Follow the on-screen prompts. This file is also available from Microsoft

here.

► Procedure

1. Run the SpectraSuiteHub.msi software installer (located on your Ocean Optics Software &
Technical Resources CD and also available on our website at

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/softwaredownloads.asp as SpectraSuite/ARCoptix

Driver Installer).

2. The installer will verify if your system has a version of the .Net Framework already installed.
If so, you will see the first setup wizard screen. Click
the note above.

6 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

Next. If not, follow the instructions in

3. Follow the prompts for the SpectraSuiteHub Setup Wizard.

2: Installing the Spectrometer

4. When requested by the wizard, connect the spectrometer to the computer’s USB port using
the supplied USB cable. See

Hardware Installation for more information.

5. Click Finish on the SpectraSuiteHub Setup Wizard.

6. The ARCspectro ANIR Setup Wizard appears.

Note

If the ARCspectro ANIR Setup Wizard does not appear automatically, go to C:\Program
Files\Ocean Optics\SpectraSuiteHub and double click on the file ARCspectro ANIR 1.5b
Installation Package.exe. Then follow the on-screen instructions.

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 7

2: Installing the Spectrometer

7. The Select Installation Folder screen appears. Choose the installation directory and press
Next.

8. Verify the information and press Next to start the installation.

8 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

9. The installer will install the necessary files for the software.

2: Installing the Spectrometer

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 9

2: Installing the Spectrometer

10. The device drivers installation will then start automatically. Disconnect the spectrometer if is
connected to the computer and press

OK.

11. When Window’s Device Driver Installation Wizard window appears, press the Next Button.

12. If the installer informs you that the drivers have not passed the Windows logo, please ignore
the message and press

Continue Anyway.

10 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

13. When the drivers are installed, press Finish.

2: Installing the Spectrometer

14. This completes the installation of the Arcspectro ANIR. Press Close to connect the
Instrument.

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 11

2: Installing the Spectrometer

15. Now you need to connect the device to your USB 2.0 port. The following window will appear
automatically. Select “

Install the software automatically (Recommended)” and press the

Next button.

16. If the installer informs you that the drivers have not passed the Windows logo, please ignore
the message and press

Continue Anyway.

12 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

17. The device is now ready to be used. Press Finish.

2: Installing the Spectrometer

Modifying Windows Firewall Settings

If you installed the SpectraSuite-Hub on a remote computer (i.e., any computer other than the one on
which SpectraSuite was installed), Windows Firewall settings must be modified to allow SpectraSuite
to access the SpectraSuite-Hub. Normally the install script will do this automatically. However, if the
script is unable to do this, you must manually add the SpectraSuiteHub program to the list of the
firewall’s exceptions.

► Procedure

To modify firewall setting on a Windows Vista computer,

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.

2. Click on the Windows Firewall icon (classic view) or select Security

3. Click on the

4. Click on the

5. Click on the

6. Browse to
SpectraSuiteHub.exe and click

7. Click

Change settings link.

Exceptions tab.

Add program button.

C:\Program Files\Ocean Optics\SpectraSuiteHub. Highlight

Open.

OK until the Windows Firewall dialog box(es) are all dismissed.

| Windows Firewall.

Configuring the ANIR Spectrometer

The ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer has to be used with the included software when connected to the
USB port. There is no particular configuration process. The calibration is included in the software and
cannot be changed.

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 13

2: Installing the Spectrometer

Hardware Installation

Before use the spectrometer must be installed in a measurement setup with the other devices. In
addition to the spectrometer (connected to a computer running SpectraSuite) you need the following
components:

 2 fiber optic cables
 Sample holder or probes
 Fiber-coupled lamp (Halogen, preferably 20 W)

The figure below shows a typical transmission set-up. Yours may differ depending on what you are
measuring and the type of measurement being taken.

14 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

Chapter 3

Using the Spectrometer

Overview

Once you have installed the proper software and connected the spectrometer to the desired hardware,
you are ready to take measurements. This chapter provides information on running the SpectraSuite­Hub service and starting SpectraSuite when using an ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer. SpectraSuite
functions specific to the ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer are also discussed. However, general
SpectraSuite operation is covered in the main

Installation and Operation Manual

(see Product-Related Documentation).

Starting the SpectraSuite-Hub Service

The SpectraSuite-Hub service must be running before SpectraSuite can access the ARCoptix ANIR
spectrometer. Normally, this service is started automatically when you boot your Windows system.
However, if it is necessary to manually start or stop the SpectraSuite-Hub service, use the
SpectraSuite-Hub Service Controller utility to do this.

SpectraSuite Spectrometer Operating Software

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 15

3: Using the Spectrometer

If you are running on Vista, read the section below on how to start the Controller utility. Otherwise, to
start this utility, double-click on the desktop icon labeled
an item in the Start Menu within the SpectraSuiteHub folder labeled

SpectraSuiteHubLocator.exe

You can click the “Check Status” button to verify that the SpectraSuite-Hub has been installed and is
started.

Hub.

It also displays the IP address and port number currently used by the SpectraSuite-

You will need this IP address and port number later on when you run SpectraSuite.

.

SpectraSuite Hub Controller. There is also

Shortcut to

Use the

Start Service and Stop Service buttons to start and stop the SpectraSuite-Hub service.

Starting the SpectraSuite-Hub Controller Utility on Vista

When starting the SpectraSuite-Hub Controller task, you must run it with Administrator privileges. If
you do not have the required permissions, you will see the following error message:
“

System.InvalidOperationException: Cannot open SpectraSuiteHub service on computer ‘.’ -->

System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: Access is denied

To run the SpectraSuite-Hub Controller with Administrator privileges, right-click on the shortcut icon

Start Menu item for the Controller and choose Run as administrator. The User Account

or the
Control pop-up window may appear requesting permission to run this task. Respond by clicking
Allow.

”.

Note

If you only wish to check the status of the SpectraSuite-Hub service, you do not need to run
the SpectraSuite-Hub-Controller task with Administrator privileges. Administrator privileges
are only necessary if you intend to start or stop the SpectraSuite-Hub service.

Using SpectraSuite

Once you have installed the SpectraSuite-Hub service, ensured it is in the “started” state, and plugged
in the ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer to the computer running SpectraSuite, you can control the
spectrometer and view spectra using the SpectraSuite application.

► Procedure

1. Start SpectraSuite.

2. From the menu, select

3. Click on the

16 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

ARCoptix spectrometer radio button. The following window appears:

Spectrometer | Network Spectrometer.

4: Troubleshooting

4. Enter the IP address and port number of the ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer.
You can determine the IP address and port number by running the SpectraSuite-Hub
Controller utility on the computer attached to the ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer. See

the SpectraSuite-Hub Controller Utility on Vista for information on how to obtain these

numbers. When finished, click

Next.

Starting

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 17

3: Using the Spectrometer

5. Highlight the serial number of the spectrometer you wish to view. Then, click Next.

6. Click

7. Right-click on the ARCoptix ANIR icon and choose

Finish. The icon for the ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer now appears in the Data

Sources

pane.

Spectrum Graph.

Note

The ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer requires several seconds to acquire each spectrum.

Gain Setting

The ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer does not use an integration time setting to control its operation.
However, the spectrometer does have a unique setting called Gain you can use to accomplish a similar
purpose. Scans-to-average and boxcar averaging are supported by the ANIR.

You can set the gain to one of four values: low, medium, high, and extreme.

► Procedure

To set the gain on your ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer:

1. Right-click on the ARCoptix ANIR icon and choose

2. Click on the

Gain tab.

Spectrometer Features.

3. After selecting the desired gain setting, be sure to click

Update Now.

Shutting Down

When you shut down SpectraSuite, it is not necessary to shut down the SpectraSuite-Hub service.
The service will remain idle in the background waiting for SpectraSuite to restart.

18 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

Chapter 4

Troubleshooting

Overview

The ARCoptix ANIR Spectrometer is an instrument that is designed for use in a laboratory or field
application with a minimum amount of maintenance. Since it is normally used with a source and
cuvette holder, we describe the maintenance and troubleshooting with respect to the entire system.
The user should refer to the documentation provided with the integrating sphere or source and sample
holder, as it is very possible that the problem is in one of these components, rather than the
spectrometer.

Maintenance

The ARCoptix ANIR requires a minimum amount of maintenance. If necessary, the unit can be wiped
clean with a damp cloth. The lamp in the source should be replaced on a periodic basis as described in
the documentation provided with the source. Typically, the lamp life is 1000-2000 hours, but this time
is dependent on the lamp and the degree of noise that can be tolerated in the spectrum.

Caution

There are no user-replaceable parts inside the spectrometer. Do not take it apart.

Troubleshooting Tips

Since the ARCoptix ANIR spectrometer is employed in a system that includes a source and a sample
holder or integrating sphere, all troubleshooting activities should include all components of the
system. Troubleshooting can be simplified with following guidelines:

In almost all cases, there is a single cause for the problem. As an example, a noisy spectrum can be
due to one or more of the following causes:

 The lamp is weak.
 The fiber optic cable does not make good contact with the spectrometer or the sample holder.
 There is an internal defect in the spectrometer.

A fundamental knowledge of the role of each component in the system is extremely useful in
diagnosing the problem. It is also helpful to have spare components on hand to substitute for those in
the system.

 If any aspect of the analytical conditions is to be changed, run a “before and after” test to

verify that the effect of the change is well understood. Do not consider any change as trivial.

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 19

4: Troubleshooting

As an example, if you change the supplier of a solvent, verify that the change has no effect on
the analysis.

 Run a standard (or a series of standards) on a periodic basis to verify that the system is

performing properly. When abnormal data is obtained, collect the spectrum of a standard and
compare the spectrum to one that was previously obtained.

 If an error message is presented, press the Continue button indicated on the Error Message

dialog box. If this does not remedy the problem, turn off the spectrometer, disconnect the
USB cable and then reinstall the cable.

 The following SpectraSuite error message can be caused by the Windows firewall, which

blocks applications from communicating over the Internet. If this is the cause, follow the steps
given in the
you have entered the wrong IP address or port number (see

Service).

Modifying Windows Firewall Settings section. This error may also occur because

Starting the SpectraSuite-Hub

Spectrum is Noisy

Possible Cause Comment Suggested Solution

Lamp is weak The lamp has a finite

lifetime

The absorbance is weak or
% T is very high (noisy
spectrum)

The absorbance is too

strong

Cable is loose Check all cables for good contact

Fiber optic cable is
defective

Transient internal
spectrometer fault

Defect in Spectrometer Contact Ocean Optics

The sample is too dilute or
too thin

The sample is too
concentrated or thick

Replace the lamp

Prepare a more concentrated
sample

Use Spectrum Averaging to reduce
noise

Dilute the sample or reduce its
thickness

Replace fiber optic cable

Remove USB cable and re-insert

20 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

No Signal

Possible Cause Comment Suggested Solution

USB cable is loose Check cables for good contact

Light not on Check light

Sample not appropriate Use a different sample

4: Troubleshooting

Transient internal
spectrometer fault

Defect in Spectrometer Contact Ocean Optics

Remove USB cable and re-insert

Signal Intensity is Not Constant

Possible Cause Comment Suggested Solution

Fiber optic cable has shifted
in position

Lamp is not stable Defective lamp Replace the lamp

Sample is not
homogeneous (cuvette)

Sample is not
homogeneous (integrating
sphere)

Sample is decomposing Replace sample

Cuvette is scratched Always place cuvette in

sample holder with same
plane facing the source

Tape fiber optic cable to bench

Mix sample and filter if necessary to
remove particulate matter

Move integrating sphere to a
different region of the sample

Replace cuvette

Defect in Spectrometer Contact Ocean Optics

Peak Wavelength Has Shifted

Cause Comment Solution

The background spectrum
is not valid

Sample is not
homogeneous

Defect in Spectrometer Contact Ocean Optics

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 21

Run a new background spectrum

Find another region of the sample

4: Troubleshooting

22 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

Appendix A

How the ARCoptix ANIR Works

Overview

The ARCoptix ANIR is a miniaturized Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS). It is based on the
principle named “Lamellar Grating Interferometer” (LGI). The active part of the LGI is driven by a
micrommechanical System. A Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) has distinct advantages
compared to grating spectrometer in terms of throughput and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).

The principle of the LGI was invented by Strong [J. Strong, and G. A. Vanasse, “Lamellar grating far­infrared interferometer”, J. Opt. Soc. Am. 50, 113-118 (1960). The implementation of the LGI using
the emerging technology of micro-machining is unique.

Principle of Operation

An FTS splits the in-coming light in two beams, which are then recombined after having been shifted
in phase. The output modulation of the light is recorded as a function of time and called
interferogram. The interferogram contains all information about the spectra but contrary to grating
spectrometers the information is encoded via a Fourier transform. To obtain the spectra the recorded
data have to be Fourier transformed.

The particularity of the instrument developed by ARCoptix consists in using the so-called Lamellar
Grating Interferometer (LGI) configuration to produce the interferogram. Instead of using the
conventional Michelson interferometer (more precisely, the Twyman-Green interferometer) where
two mirrors and a beam splitter are used, the LGI consists of a series of mirrors that from a grating as
shown in Fig. A - 1.

Figure A- 1. The principle of operation of an LGI

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 23

A: How the ARCoptix ANIR Works





Figure A-1 shows incoming light is reflected back by a series of fixed and mobile mirrors acting as a
grating and generating a diffraction pattern. To obtain the interferogram one records the modulation of
the zero order in function of the motion of the mobile mirrors. The path difference (or depth of the
grating)

x is an important parameter and given by the distance between the fixed and the mobile

mirrors.

While in the Michelson interferometer one mirror changes its position, in the lamellar grating
interferometer a series of mirrors move. The configuration does not need a beam splitter. The LGI
splits the wavefront at the mirrors, contrary to the Michelson interferometer that splits the wave
amplitude at the beamsplitter. The whole arrangement of mirrors performs like a grating having a
variable depth. The interferogram is recorded by measuring the modulation of the zero order, reflected
back by the grating, as a function of the depth of the grating. Note that there is no dispersion in the
zero order. Exactly like in a conventional Michelson interferometer, the important notion, here, is the
phase delay generating at the grating, which is the double of the distance between the fixed series of
mirrors and the mobile ones. Figure A - 2 shows the resultant diffraction patterns for selected
positions of the movable mirror grating.

Figure A - 2.

The depth of the grating x determines the resulting efficiencies in the different diffraction orders. For
x = 0 the grating acts like a simple mirror while for x = /4 no light is found in the zero order. The

effect is wavelengths depended. For each wavelengths this conditions is realized for a different

The zero order intensity A for a single wavelength

2

cos  xAA

00

24 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

0

0can be written as a function of x and becomes:

Eq. A - 1

x.

A: How the ARCoptix ANIR Works







The intensity is thus modulated and changes with a cosine function of the grating depths x. The
period is given by the wavelengths. If the lamellar grating is illuminated with a source containing
several wavelengths of intensities A

), then the interferogram is the integral over all wavelengths .

(

2

cos)(

The recorded intensity I(
A(

) that can be extracted by using a Fourier transform.

It is useful to define the contrast (or visibility) as follows:

C(

x) = I

max

An important measurement point is the zero path difference (
positions and the grating acts as a simple mirror. At this point, all intensity values A(
since the cosine term is maximum for all wavelengths. At the zero path difference, the contrast is
maximum and equal to unity. If
smaller the contrast. On the other hand, the narrower the spectrum (e.g. monochromatic light source),
the higher the contrast.

x) contains information about the spectral composition of the incoming light

(x) – I

(x) / I

min

 dxAxI

(x) + I

max

x is non-zero, then the broader the spectrum of the source, the

Eq. A - 2

(x) Eq. A - 3

min

x = 0) when all mirrors are at the same

) are added

Reference Laser

The ARCoptix NIR contains a reference laser to precisely control the position of the movable parts in
the interferometer. The reference laser operates at about 635 nm and its spectra can be measured
depended on the light level in the measurement channel. To check the operation of the reference laser
choose the

EXTREME detection gain and choose the spectral range in the graphing options.

Resolution

In Fourier spectroscopy, resolution is depending of the maximum optical path difference (i.e., phase
delay) that you can achieve with the interferometer. The longer the scanning range the higher the
resolution. Strictly speaking, the smallest spectral interval that can be discerned is defined as:

1



x

max

Resolution is usually defined as the smallest spectral interval multiplied by the truncation effect of a
boxcar. This corresponds to the full width half maximum of a monochromatic radiation. If no
apodization is used, resolution is about 1.2*

1.7*

.

 and if a triangle apodization is used, then resolution is

Eq. A - 4

Detector Nonlinearity

If the detector response does not increase linearly with the illumination intensity the measured
interferogram will be distorted. Every detector (or analogue/digital converter) shows some non­linearity, especially when approaching the saturation level or the detection limit of the detector.
However, if detectors are used in useful range below saturation very good linearity is obtained and
distortions are negligible. This has to be respected when the gain level is chosen. To high gain will
increase effects of nonlinearity.

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 25

A: How the ARCoptix ANIR Works

Noise

The last aspect treated in this chapter is related to the effect of noise in Fourier transform
spectroscopy. The interferogram signal is always accompanied by statistical errors and we want to
know their effect on the spectrum. Several types of noise and their origins will be presented in this
section.

Signal-to-noise ratio

We define the Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR) of a set of measurements as the ratio between the mean
value of the signals and their standard deviation.

Types of Noise

In spectroscopy, we usually distinguish between additive noise and multiplicative noise. The first one
is the noise added to the signal; the latter varies with the signal power. Previously, we have mentioned
the multiplex advantage of an interferometer over a dispersive spectrometer (Fellgett advantage). This
advantage occurs only for additive noise.

Additive Noise

Thermal noise (or Johnson noise) arises from thermal fluctuations of the current in the detector and is
independent of the signal level. In the infrared region, photon energies are smaller than these thermal
fluctuations and, therefore, detectors will mainly be limited by thermal noise.

In addition, we mention the dark-current noise, which is an additive noise as well. Photodetection
devices also generate dark-current noise, which is present even in the absence of light and results from
random electron-hole pairs generated thermally or by tunneling.

Multiplicative Noise

Photon noise (or quantum noise, shot noise) is associated to the electromagnetic radiation itself and is
a fundamental quantity. It refers to the fluctuations resulting from the random arrival of photons at the
detector. The standard deviation of these fluctuations is proportional to the square root of the number
of photons arriving. Therefore, the noise power is proportional to the square root of the signal power.
Photon noise is a multiplicative noise. In the near-infrared and visible region, very sensitive detectors
(e.g. photodiodes) are available, which allow to approach photon-noise-limited detection. In this case,
there is no multiplex advantage of the FTS over a dispersive instrument (note that the interferometer
still enjoys the luminosity or Etendue advantage).

26 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

Specification Value

Appendix B

Specifications

Resolution:

500nm

1000 nm

1700 nm

2600 nm

Wavelengths accuracy <0.5 nm

A/D converter 24 bit

Fiber optical connector SMA 905

Optical fiber entrance 0.6 mm (Fiber core diameter)

Minimum scan time 0.5 s

Effective measurement time <5 s (CPU dependent)

Operating voltage 5 V (USB powered)

Operating temperature 10° - 30°C

Communication interface UBS 2.0

8 cm-1

0.5 nm

1.5 nm

4 nm

9 nm

Software interface Windows XP

Product dimensions 146 mm x 105 mm x 70 mm

Weight 850 g

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 27

B: Specifications

28 ARC-000000-000-02-0310

Index

.

.NET Framework, 6

B

benefits, 1

C

configuration, 13

D

description, 2

G

Gain setting, 18

I

installation, 5

ARCoptix software, 6
hardware, 14
SpectraSuite Hub, 6
Windows firewall modification, 13

L

N

noise, 26
nonlinearity, 25

O

operation, 15

principles, 23
with SpectraSuite, 16

P

product-related documentation, iii

R

resolution, 25

S

service, v
shipment contents, 4
shut down, 18
specifications, 27
SpectraSuite, 16
SpectraSuite-Hub

installing, 6
starting, 15
starting with Vista, 16

laser, 25

T

M

troubleshooting, 19

maintenance, 19
models, 4
modify

Windows firewall, 13

upgrades, iii

U

W

warranty, iv

effective date, v
limitations, v

ARC-00000-000-02-0310 29

Index

30 ARC-000000-000-02-0310