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PX-2
Pulsed Xenon Light Source
Installation and Operation Instructions
Description
The PX-2 Pulsed Xenon Light Source is a high flash rate, short-arc xenon lamp for applications
involving absorbance, reflection, fluorescence and phosphorescence measurements, and especially for
measuring optically or thermally labile samples.
The PX-2 has an SMA 905 Connector that couples to Ocean Optics miniature fiber optic
spectrometers and accessories, including optical fibers, cuvette holders, probes and other sampling
optics.
The PX-2 operates at speeds up to 220 Hz, offers excellent pulse-to-pulse stability, and has two trigger
modes for software control of the flash rate. Any external TTL positive pulse can be used to trigger the
PX-2. When it is coupled to a spectrometer, you can easily synchronize operation of both the light and
detector.
Because it produces a pulsed signal, the PX-2 is less likely to contribute to solarization in optical fiber
assemblies, which can occur when fibers are illuminated with signals less than 260 nm.
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PX-2 Installation and Operation Instructions
Parts Included
The PX-2 ships with the following items:
PX-2 Pulsed Xenon Light Source
12 VDC power adapter
15-pin interface cable
Additional Accessories
The following are additional accessories available from Ocean Optics that you may need, depending
on your system set-up:
USB2000/PX-2 adapter (USB-ADP-PX2)
Replacement bulb (PX-2-B)
WARNING
The PX-2 produces ultraviolet radiation. Direct eye contact can cause permanent
eye damage. Always wear safety eyewear, and never look directly into the light
source.
Dangerous voltages are present in the PX-2. Do not operate the PX-2 without the
housing intact.
The SMA 905 Connector can get hot during operation. Allow the lamp to cool
after operation before handling.
Do not drop the instrument, as this may cause permanent damage to the unit.
Handle with care.
Connecting the PX-2
The set-up procedure differs, depending on the spectrometer to which you are connecting the PX-2.
Connecting to an S2000 Spectrometer
► Procedure
1. Remove the PX-2 from the product packaging.
2. Plug the 12 VDC power supply into a wall outlet, then connect the barrel connector on the
power supply to the rear of the PX-2.
3. Connect the 15-pin cable to the rear of the PX-2, and then connect the other end to the 15-pin
connector on the S2000 Spectrometer.
You have now connected the PX-2 for operation with the S2000 Spectrometer.
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PX-2 Installation and Operation Instructions
Connecting to a USB2000/USB2000+/USB4000/HR2000
Spectrometer
The USB2000 and HR2000 Spectrometers have a 10-pin connector. The
USB2000+/USB4000/HR2000 have a 20-pin connector. For these spectrometers, you need to use the
USB-ADP-PX2 serial adapter.
► Procedure
Follow the steps below to connect the PX-2 to a USB2000/HR2000 Spectrometer:
1. Remove the PX-2 from the product packaging.
2. Connect the USB-ADP-PX2 Adapter to the spectrometer’s accessory connector. For
USB2000+/USB4000/HR2000 Spectrometers with the 20-pin connector, skip the first column
of pins (A1 and A2) when plugging in the adapter.
3. Tighten the jackscrew to hold the adapter in place.
4. Connect the DB15 cable that came with your PX-2 to the USB-ADP-PX2, then to your PX-2
light source.
You have now connected the PX-2 for operation.
Connecting to Ocean Optics Spectrometers with a 30-pin
Connector
Our other spectrometers such as the NIRQuest, Maya, QE65000 and HR4000 use a 30-pin accessory
connector.
► Procedure
Follow the steps below to connect the PX-2 to spectrometer with a 30-pin accessory connector:
1. Remove the PX-2 from the product packaging.
2. Connect the HR4000-CBL-BB ribbon cable to the spectrometer’s 30-pin accessory connector.
3. Connect DB15 cable assembly to the spectrometer’s ribbon cable and the other end to the PX2’s 15-pin connector.
You have now connected the PX-2 for operation.
Connecting the PX-2 Using the Breakout Box
The Breakout Box offers another option for connecting the PX-2 to our spectrometers with the 30-pin
connector. The Breakout Box is a passive module that separates the signals from the 30-pin port of the
spectrometer into an array of standard connectors and headers. You’ll want to use the Breakout Box if
you need multiple interfaces to your spectrometer. See the Breakout Box Installation and Operation
Instructions for information on using the Breakout Box.
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PX-2 Installation and Operation Instructions
Note
If you are connecting the Breakout Box to the USB4000 Spectrometer, you must first
attach the USB-ADP-BB adapter to the spectrometer.
Configuring the PX-2
After setting up the PX-2, you must configure it to operate with the spectrometer and software.
► Procedure
1. Connect an optical fiber to the SMA 905 Connector on the front panel of the PX-2.
2. Turn the PX-2 on via the power switch on the rear of the unit.
3. Select Multiple or Single TTL mode by moving the toggle switch on the rear panel of PX-2.
You must also configure this mode in the operating software. See
below.
4. Download the latest version of SpectraSuite spectrometer operating software from
www.oceanoptics.com/technical/softwaredownloads.asp, if necessary.
TTL Mode Information
5. Determine the appropriate integration time for your application. The system will use this
integration time to adjust the flash rate of the light source depending on the mode you have
selected. Use the Integration Time control at the top of the SpectraSuite screen to set the
integration time.
6. If you are using Multiple Mode you must enter the continuous strobe delay. To do this, select
Spectrometer | Spectrometer Features from the SpectraSuite menu. Click on the
Continuous Strobe tab and enter the continuous strobe delay.
Caution
Be aware that the continuous strobe setting is will be reset to the default if you go
back and change the integration time.
You have now configured your PX-2 light source for operation.
TTL Mode Information
The PX-2 features a TTL switch that provides two modes of operation: Multiple mode and Single
mode.
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PX-2 Installation and Operation Instructions
Multiple Mode
In Multiple mode, the flash timing (pulse rate) is determined by the spectrometer:
S2000 Spectrometer – Flash timing is determined by the JP3 jumper block setting. See your
S2000 Spectrometer manual for more information.
All other OOI spectrometers – The Continuous strobe rate is either fixed or software
controlled. See the
Manual for more information.
In either case, you must alter the spectrometer’s integration time so that a constant number of flashes
are observed during each integration period.
When using Multiple mode, you must ensure that a constant number of flashes occurs for each
integration cycle. This is accomplished by setting the pulse rate and integration time, which is
controlled by the operating software.
S2000 Spectrometer Strobe Rate Adjustments
To achieve a constant number of flashes per integration cycle, the integration time must be a multiple
of those shown in the following table.
SpectraSuite Spectrometer Operating Software Installation and Operation
S2000 JP3
Setting
216 (factory
default)
14
2
12
2
10
2
Integration time must be a multiple of (in milliseconds)
ADC500/SAD500 ADC1000 DAQ700 ADC2000-PCI
128 64 512 32
32 16 128 8
8 4 32 2
N/A N/A
8
(with a minimum value
of 24 ms)
N/A
The PX-2 repetition rate is determined by the JP3 setting on the S2000 Spectrometer, but it is also
dependent on the frequency of the A/D card. The table below shows the repetition rate for the various
combinations of hardware and jumper settings. The default factory setting is 2
16
:
Frequency (Hz)
JP3 Post # Function
ADC500/SAD500 ADC1000 DAQ700 ADC2000-PCI
1 Not enabled – Reserved for future software control
2 Divide by 2
3 Divide by 2
4 Divide by 2
5 Divide by 2
10
12
14
16
Too fast Too fast 98 Too fast
122 Too fast 24 Too fast
30 60 6.1 120
7.6 15.2 1.5 30
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PX-2 Installation and Operation Instructions
Non-S2000 Spectrometer Strobe Rate Adjustments
The table below shows the Continuous Strobe frequency (multiple strobe operation) for each type of
OOI spectrometer.
Spectrometer Strobe Rate Adjustment
USB2000 Fixed at 122Hz
All other OOI Spectrometers Software-controlled 220Hz-1Hz
1
Fixed frequency when the USB2000 is programmed with the PX2 firmware
2
The maximum frequency of the PX2; the spectrometer can actually run faster
1
2
Single Mode
In Single mode, a single lamp flash occurs during each integration period. You can modify the flash
rate by changing the integration period. Since the PX-2 has a maximum repetition rate of 220 Hz, the
minimum integration time allowed in Single mode is 5 milliseconds.
PX-2 Specifications
Specification Value
Dimensions (mm) 153.4 x 104.9 x 40.9 mm
Weight 370 g
Power consumption 1.5 A @ 12 VDC
45 microjoules per pulse maximum
Power output
Spectral range 220-750 nm
Pulse duration 5 microseconds (at 1/3 height of pulse)
Aperture 3 mm
Connector SMA 905
Lifetime 109 pulses (estimated 230 days continuous operation)
9.9 watts average power
220 Hz pulse rate maximum
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PX-2 Installation and Operation Instructions
PX-2 Pinout Information
The following section contains information on the 15-pin connector on the PX-2.
Pin Number Description
1 Single strobe
2 Continuous strobe
10 Ground
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