Ocean Optics NIR User Manual

NIR Near Infrared

Fiber Optic Spectrometers

Installation and Operation Manual

Document Number 197-00000-512-02-0707

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)

Additional
Offices:

Ocean Optics Asia

666 Gubei Road, Kirin Tower, Suite 601B, Changning District, Shanghai,
PRC. 200336

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]
E-Mail [e-mail]

Ocean Optics B.V. (Europe)

Geograaf 24, 6921 EW DUIVEN, The Netherlands

Phone [phone]

Fax [phone]
E -Mail [e-mail]

Copyright © 2001-2007 Ocean Optics, Inc.

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 Ocean Optics, Inc.
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 Ocean Optics, Inc. 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. Ocean Optics, Inc. 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

What’s New in this Document ................................................................................................... iii

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

Product-Related Documentation ............................................................................................... iv

Upgrades......................................................................................................................... iv

Service ............................................................................................................................ iv

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

Product Description ......................................................................................................... 1

About the Modular Approach..................................................................................................... 2

Interface Options ............................................................................................................. 3

Items Included with Shipment ......................................................................................... 3

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

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

NIR Spectrometer Installation.......................................................................................... 5

USB Mode ................................................................................................................................. 5

Serial Port Mode........................................................................................................................ 6

Configuring the NIR Spectrometer .................................................................................. 7

Configuring the NIR Spectrometer in SpectraSuite................................................................... 7

Configuring the NIR Spectrometer in OOIBase32 .................................................................... 7

Connect Spectroscopic Accessories ............................................................................... 7

External Triggering Options............................................................................................. 7

NIR Controls....................................................................................................................8

SpectraSuite NIR Spectrometer Features................................................................................. 8

NIR Toolbar in OOIBase32........................................................................................................9

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting ...............................................................11

Overview ......................................................................................................................... 11

NIR Spectrometer Connected to Computer Prior to Operating Software ........................ 11

Windows Operating Systems ....................................................................................................11

Remove the Unknown Device from Windows Device Manager................................................ 12

197-00000-512-02-0707 i

Table of Contents

Remove Improperly Installed Files ............................................................................................ 12

Mac Operating Systems ............................................................................................................ 13

Linux Operating Systems ..........................................................................................................13

Troubleshooting the Serial Port Configuration................................................................. 13

Old Version of OOIBase32 Installed ............................................................................... 14

Appendix A: Calibrating the Wavelength of the NIR Spectrometer15

About Wavelength Calibration......................................................................................... 15

Calibrating the Spectrometer........................................................................................... 15

Preparing for Calibration............................................................................................................ 15

Calibrating the Wavelength of the Spectrometer............................................................. 16

Saving the New Calibration Coefficients: USB Mode ...................................................... 18

Saving the New Calibration Coefficients: Serial Mode .................................................... 19

Appendix B: Specifications................................................................21

How the Spectrometer Works.......................................................................................... 21

NIR Spectrometer Component Table ........................................................................................ 21

NIR Detector Specifications....................................................................................................... 22

NIR Spectrometer – Slit Size vs. Resolution and Throughput......................................... 23

NIR Spectrometer Specifications..................................................................................... 23

9-pin RS-232 Serial Port Pinout ................................................................................................ 25

9-pin RS-232 Serial Port Connector – Pin Definitions............................................................... 25

15-pin Accessory Connector Pinout .......................................................................................... 26

15-pin Accessory Connector – Pin Definitions .......................................................................... 26

LED Information .............................................................................................................. 26

Appendix C: NIR256-2.5µm Sensitivity .............................................27

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

ii 197-00000-512-02-0707

About This Manual

Document Purpose and Intended Audience

This document provides you with instructions to get your system up and running. In addition to the NIR
Spectrometer installation and operation instructions, this manual also includes information for locating
the SpectraSuite installation instructions (see Product-Related Documentation

What’s New in this Document

This version of the NIR Near Infrared Fiber Optics Spectrometers Installation and Operation Manual
adds SpectraSuite information and updates the contact list. It also includes information about our service
packages available for NIR spectrometers.

below).

Document Summary

Chapter Description

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Installing the NIR Spectrometer

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting

Appendix A: Calibrating the Wavelength of

the NIR Spectrometer

Appendix B: Specifications

Appendix C: NIR256-2.5µm Sensitivity

Introduces the product features. Also contains a list
of items included in the shipment.

Contains information for installing and configuring
your NIR Spectrometer. These instructions include
information on using your NIR Spectrometer with
the spectrometer operating software.

Contains typical problems and suggested
resolutions.

Contains instructions for calibrating your NIR
Spectrometer.

Contains technical specifications for the NIR
Spectrometer and the NIR Detector.

Provides some additional sensitivity specifications
for the NIR256-2.5 Spectrometer.

197-00000-512-02-0707 iii

1: Introduction

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 are located at:

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

• Detailed instructions for the OOIBase32 Spectrometer Operating Software are located at:

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/ooibase32.pdf

You can also access operating instructions for Ocean Optics products on the Software and Technical
Resources CD included with the system.

Engineering-level documentation is located on our website at Technical → Engineering Docs.

Upgrades

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

Service

Our Total Technical Service protection plans protect your spectrometer for one year for any contingency -

- no matter what the circumstances, including total loss. Under these plans, Ocean Optics will repair or
replace your instrument with no deductible or any other out-of-pocket expense required from you. NIR
service plans include the following:

• TTS-NIR: Protects your Ocean Optics NIR spectrometer for any contingency for 1 year.

Provides for full spectrometer replacement, if necessary. Limited to 1 full replacement per year.

• TTS-NIR-E: This special plan for Ocean Optics NIR spectrometers not previously covered

protects for any contingency for 1 year. Provides for full spectrometer replacement, if necessary.
Limited to 1 full replacement per year. This coverage starts 30 days after purchasing the plan.

iv 197-00000-512-02-0707

Chapter 1

Introduction

Product Description

The NIR (Near Infrared) Fiber Optic Spectrometer connects to a notebook or desktop PC via a USB port.
It requires an external +5VDC power supply (USB-CBL-PS) to power the spectrometer’s high­performance InGaAs array detector. The NIR Spectrometer and the 16-bit A/D converter share a single
housing, forming a small-footprint plug-and-play system.

The NIR Spectrometer can connect via the USB port to any PC that uses a Windows 98/Me/2000/XP
operating system and has spectrometer operating software installed and configured for use with your NIR
Spectrometer. Furthermore, the NIR Spectrometer has a serial port for interfacing to PCs, PLCs, and other
devices that support the RS-232 communication protocol.

An EEPROM memory chip in each NIR Spectrometer contains wavelength calibration coefficients,
linearity coefficients, and the serial number unique to each spectrometer. Ocean Optics OOIBase32 or
SpectraSuite spectrometer operating software reads these values from the spectrometer, which allows
“hot-swapping” of spectrometers among multiple PCs.

As with all other Ocean Optics user-configured spectrometers, you can choose from six slit sizes and
hundreds of fiber optic accessories (such as light sources, probes, and optical fibers) to create the system
just right for your application.

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1: Introduction

About the Modular Approach

Ocean Optics fiber optic spectrometer systems are based on low-cost, modular data acquisition principles.
A typical NIR Spectrometer system contains four basic elements:

• The NIR Spectrometer

• The Ocean Optics spectrometer operating software

• A light (excitation source)

• A variety of sampling optics (depending on application need)

The light (excitation source) sends light through an optical fiber to the sample. The light interacts with the
sample, and the results of that interaction are collected and transmitted through another optical fiber to the
spectrometer. The spectrometer measures the amount of light and transforms the data collected by the
spectrometer into digital information. Finally, the spectrometer passes that information to the operating
software.

Software

SpectraSuite is the latest generation of operating software for all Ocean Optics spectrometers. It is a
completely modular, Java-based spectroscopy software platform that operates on Windows, Macintosh
and Linux operating systems. The software can control any Ocean Optics USB spectrometer and device,
as well as any other manufacturer’s USB instrumentation using the appropriate drivers.

SpectraSuite is a user-customizable, advanced acquisition and display program that provides a real-time
interface to a variety of signal-processing functions. With SpectraSuite, you have the ability to perform
spectroscopic measurements (such as absorbance, reflectance, and emission), control all system
parameters, collect and display data in real time, and perform reference monitoring and time acquisition
experiments. Consult the SpectraSuite manual for hardware requirements when using SpectraSuite (see

Product-Related Documentation

OOIBase32 software has been discontinued, but still functions with the NIR spectrometers. Consult the
OOIBase32 manual for hardware requirements when using OOIBase32 (see Product-Related

Documentation

).

).

Accessories

Ocean Optics also offers a complete line of spectroscopic accessories to use with the NIR Spectrometer.
Most spectroscopic accessories have SMA connectors for application flexibility. Thus, changing the
sampling system is as easy as unscrewing a connector and adding a new component or accessory. A
partial list of Ocean Optics spectroscopic accessories includes light sources, sampling holders, filter
holders, flow cells, fiber optic probes and sensors, collimating lenses, attenuators, diffuse reflectance
standards, integrating spheres and an extensive line of optical fibers.

This modular approach, where components are easily mixed and matched, offers remarkable applications
flexibility. You can select from hundreds of products to create distinctive systems for an almost endless
variety of optical-sensing applications.

2 197-00000-512-02-0707

1: Introduction

Interface Options

Because the NIR Spectrometer has both a USB and a serial port, you can connect the NIR Spectrometer
to a desktop or notebook PC via a USB port or to a desktop or notebook PC via a serial port.

Computer Interface

Desktop or Notebook
PC via USB Port

Desktop or Notebook
PC via Serial Port

Operating System
Requirements

Windows 98/Me/
2000/XP

Any 32-bit
Windows operating
system

Cable Needed Description of Cable

USB-CBL-1
(included)

ADC-USB-SER
(not included)

Cable connects from USB port
on NIR Spectrometer to USB
port on desktop or notebook PC

Cable connects from serial port
on NIR Spectrometer to serial
port on desktop or notebook PC

Items Included with Shipment

Important information and documentation accompany your NIR Spectrometer upon 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, including customized items installed in the spectrometer, such as the
slit. The packing list also includes important information, such as the shipping and billing
addresses, as well as any components on back order.

 Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet – Each spectrometer is shipped with a Wavelength

Calibration Data Sheet that contains information unique to your spectrometer. SpectraSuite
Operating Software reads this calibration data from your spectrometer when it interfaces to a PC
via the USB port. Any other interface requires that you manually enter the calibration data in
OOIBase32 (select Spectrometer | Configure | Wavelength Calibration tab). See the
OOIBase32 documentation for more information (refer to Product-Related Documentation
instructions on accessing OOIBase32 documentation).

for

Note

Please save the Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet for future reference.

 Software and Resources Library CD – Each spectrometer order comes with Ocean Optics’

Software and Resources Library CD. This disc contains all 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. Adobe Acrobat Reader is included on the CD.

Passwords for software applications can be found on the back of the Software and Resources
Library CD package.

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1: Introduction

4 197-00000-512-02-0707

Chapter 2

Installing the NIR Spectrometer

Overview

You must install the operating software application prior to connecting the NIR Spectrometer to the PC.
The Ocean Optics spectrometer operating software installs the drivers required for NIR Spectrometer
installation. If you do not install the software first, the system will not properly recognize the NIR
Spectrometer.

If you have already connected the NIR Spectrometer to the PC prior to installing the software, consult
Chapter 3: Troubleshooting

for information on correcting a corrupt NIR Spectrometer installation.

Once you have properly installed the spectrometer, refer to either the SpectraSuite or OOIBase32
operating instructions for information on taking measurements.

NIR Spectrometer Installation

This section contains instructions for connecting the NIR Spectrometer via both USB and serial modes.

USB Mode

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

To connect the NIR Spectrometer to a PC via the USB port, the PC must be running the Windows
98/ME/2000/XP operating system.

Procedure

►

1. Install spectrometer operating software on the destination computer, and then reboot the

system.

2. Plug the +5VDC wall adapter (USB-CBL-PS) into an electrical outlet, then connect the

power cord to the 2.5 mm power jack (older versions may have a 1.3 mm power jack) on
the rear of the NIR Spectrometer.

3. Locate the USB cable (USB-CBL-1) that came with the NIR Spectrometer.

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