Ocean Optics QE Pro Install User Manual

QE Pro Scientific-grade Spectrometer

Install ation and Operation Manual

Document Number 891-00000-000-02-201401

Offices: Ocean Optics, Inc. World Headquarters

830 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, FL, USA 34698

Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

8 a.m.– 6 p.m. (M on-Fri) ET

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

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

000-00000-000-02-A

Additional

Ocean Optics Asia

Phone

86.21.5206.8686

Offices:

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

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

Ocean Optics EMEA

Sales and Support Center
Geograaf 24, 6921 EW DUIVEN, The Netherlands

Phone [phone]

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

Regional Headquarters
Maybachstrasse 11
73760 Ostfildern

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

Copyright © 2014 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 a s part of an order and subject to th e cond ition 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 ma r ks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners.

Limit of Liability

Every effort has been made to make this manual as comp lete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitn ess is implied . The information provided is
on an “as is” basis. Ocean O p tics, 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

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

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

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

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

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

Product Overview .......................................................................................................... 1

Models ........................................................................................................................... 2

Features ........................................................................................................................ 2

System Requirements ................................................................................................... 3

EEPROM Utili zat ion .................................................................................................................. 3

About Ocean Optics Sof twar e ................................................................................................... 4

Sampling System Overview....................................................................................................... 4

How Sampling Works ............................................................................................................ 4

Modular Sampling Accessories ............................................................................................. 4

Interface Options ........................................................................................................... 4

Shipment Components .................................................................................................. 5

Other Accessories Available .......................................................................................... 6

Breakout Box ............................................................................................................................. 6

Chapter 2: Installing the QE Pro ....................................................... 7

Overview ....................................................................................................................... 7

QE Pro Installation ......................................................................................................... 7

USB Mode ................................................................................................................................. 7

Serial Port Mode ........................................................................................................................ 8

LED Operation ........................................................................................................................... 8

Configuring the QE Pro.................................................................................................. 8

Configuring QE Pro in OceanView ............................................................................................ 9

OceanView QE Pro Acquisition Controls .............................................................................. 10

Connect Spectroscopic Accessories .............................................................................. 12

External Triggering Options ........................................................................................... 12

891-00000-000-02-201401 i

Table of Contents

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting .............................................................. 13

Overview ....................................................................................................................... 13

QE Pro Connected to Computer Prior to Software Installation ....................................... 13

Windows Operating Systems .................................................................................................... 13

Remove the Unknown Device from Windows Device Manager ........................................... 13

Remove Improperly Installed Files ........................................................................................ 14

Mac Operating Systems ............................................................................................................ 14

Linux Operating Systems .......................................................................................................... 14

Appendix A: Calibrating the Wavelength of t he Q E Pro ................. 15

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

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

Calibrating the Spectrometer ......................................................................................... 16

Preparing for Calibration ............................................................................................................ 16

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

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

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

Overview ....................................................................................................................... 21

How the QE Pro Works.................................................................................................. 21

QE Pro Components Table ....................................................................................................... 22

QE Pro Specifications .................................................................................................... 23

CCD Detector Specifications ..................................................................................................... 23

QE Pro Spectrometer Specifications ......................................................................................... 23

System Compatibility ..................................................................................................... 24

30-Pin Accessory Connector Pinout .............................................................................. 24

30-Pin Accessory Connector Pinout Diagram ........................................................................... 25

30-Pin Accessory Connector – Pin Definitions and Descriptions .............................................. 25

30-Pin J2 Accessory Connector - Part Num bers....................................................................... 27

HR4-CBL-DB15 Accessory Cable Pinout ...................................................................... 27

Index ................................................................................................... 28

ii 891-00000-000-02-201401

About This Manual

Document Purpose and Intended Audience

This document provides the user of the QE Pro Spectrometer with instructions for setting up, calibrating
and performing experiments with their spectrometer.

Document Summary

Chapter Description

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Installing the QE Pro

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting

Appendix A:Calibrating the

Wavelength of the QE Pro

Appendix B: Specifications

Contains descriptive information about the QE Pro Spectrometer and
how sampling works. It also provides a list of system requirements,
interface options, and shipment components.

Provides installation and configuration instructions.
Contains recommended steps to isolate and correct common

problems.
Provides instructions for calibrating the QE Pro Spectrometer.

Contains technical specifications and connector pinouts for the QE
Pro Spectrometer.

Product-Related Documentation

You can access documentation for Ocean Optics products by visiting our website at

http://www.oceanoptics.com

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 OceanView Spectrometer Operatin g Sof tw a re is lo c ated at:

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/OceanViewI&O.pdf

• Installation instructions for the replaceabl e slits are loc ate at:

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

• Detailed instructions for the Breakout Box are located at:

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/HR4_breakout.pdf

• Detailed instructions for External Triggering for firmware versions 3.0 and above are located at:

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/external-triggering2.pdf

. Select Technical → Operating Instructions, then choose the appropriate

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

• http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/engineeringdocs.asp

891-00000-000-02-201401 iii

About This Manual

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.

Warranty

Our 3-Year Warranty covers Ocean Optics miniature fiber optic spectrometers, light sources and
sampling accessories – regardless of the application – from manufacturing defects. It also covers fibers
and probes for a full 12 months: http://www.oceanoptics.com/warranty.asp

This comprehensive warranty ensures you of the highest level of craftsmanship and reliability for years to
come. No other manufacturer offers such a solid guarantee of quality and reliability.

The Ocean Optics 3-Year Warranty applies to Ocean Optics equipment (excluding OEM configurations)
purchased on or after July 1, 2010. The warranty covers parts and labor needed to repair manufacturing
defects that occur during the warranty period. We also will cover the costs of shipping warranty-related
repairs from our customers to Ocean Optics and from us to our customers.

WARNING

This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio

interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

FCC COMPLIANCE

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A

digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to

provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is

operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can

radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the

instruction manual, may cause harm ful int er feren c e to radio com mun ica tion s.

Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful

interference in which the user will be required to correct the interference at his on

expense.

WARNING: The authority to operate this equipment is conditioned by the

requirement that no modifications will be made to the equipment unless the changes

or modifications are expressly approved by the manufacturer.

iv 891-00000-000-02-201401

Chapter 1

Introduction

Product Overview

The Ocean Optics QE Pro Spectrom eter is a scientific-grade spectrom ete r that is ideal for resea rch ers and
industrial customers. Its broadband sensitivity, from UV to NIR, makes it suitable for a wide range of
applications, while its high sensitivity and thermo electric cooler enable effective measurements at very
low light levels. The QE Pro also has the highest dynamic range of any fiber optic CCD spectrometer in
its class.

Two LEDs are provided to monitor spectrometer and TEC operation. The QE Pro operates from power
provided from a separate +5VDC power supply.

Ocean Optics QE Pro High-Sensitivity Fiber Optic Spectrometer

The QE Pro features a Hamamatsu low-etaloning, back-thinned FFT-CCD detector with a 2-D
arrangement of pixels (1044 horizontal x 64 vertical) that is responsive from 200-1100 nm and has a peak
quantum efficiency of ~90% (with a QE of 65% at 250 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 from 40°C below ambient up to 50°C with the onboard TE-Cooler to reduce
dark noise. The reduction of noise and dark signal allows integration times of the spectrometer (analogous
to the shutter speed of a camera) of up to 60 m inu tes, which greatly enhances the detection limit in low­light level appl ications. The back-illuminated detec to r h as enhanced response in the UV. The inherent UV
response eliminates the need for UV-sensitive detector coatings that can be difficult to apply consistently
from batch to batch.

The combination of the spectrometer’s low-noise detector and 18-bit A/D Converter delivers a dynamic
typical range of ~85,000:1 and a signal-to-noise ratio of 1000:1 (at full signa l ).

Replaceable slits are offered for added convenience.

891-00000-000-02-201401 1

1: Introduction

The QE Pro’s onboard module has 10 user-programmable digital I/O lines for interfacing to other
equipment; and a pulse generator for triggering other devices. You 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.

The QE Pro’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.

A +5 VDC external power supply is required to operate the spectrometer. This power supply is included
with your spectrometer.

Models

The QE Pro is custom configurable for your specific application. In addition, the following preconfigured
models are offered:

• QE Pro-ABS – For absorbance, reflection, irradiance and transmission measurements with a

wavelength range of 200 – 950 nm

• QE Pro-FL – For fluorescence measurements with a wavelength range of 350 – 1100 nm

• QE Pro-Raman – for 785 nm Raman analysis with a wavelength range of 780 – 1100 nm (preset

for 785 Raman)

Features

• Hamamatsu S7031-1006S Detector:

• Typical dynamic range ~85,000:1

• Peak QE: 90%

• Back-thinned for enhanced UV sensitivity

• Integration times from 8 ms to 60 minutes

• TE Cooled

• Scientific-grade Optical Bench:

• Symmetrical Crossed Czerny Turner

• 101mm focal length

• F number : f/4

• Interchangeable slits

• 14 gratings (H1 – H14); HC1

• 6 slit widths, plus no slit in SMA or FC bulkhead

• Communications

• USB 2.0 Full Speed

• RS232 up to 460K Baud

• Thermo Electric Cooler (TEC)

• Software-controlled set-point

2 891-00000-000-02-201401

1: Introduction

• LED indicator to show when the TEC is stable and accurate

• Temperature stability: <0.1ºC

• Continuous TEC setpoint control from 40ºC below ambient up to 50 ºC

• GPIO

• Single strobe

• Continuous strobe

• 10 user-programmable digital I/O pins

• SPI/I2C for controlling peripherals

• Nonvolatile storage

• Wavelength calibration coefficients

• Linearity correction coefficients

• Absolute irradiance calibration (optional)

• Buffering

• Triggering (4 modes)

• Resets

• Watchdog timer for reliability

• Hardware power recycle via reset pin or software command

• Kensington

®

security slot

• LEDs for feedback on TEC readiness and general spectrometer health

• Software support:

• OceanView

• OmniDriver

• SeaBreeze

• CE certification

System Requirements

You can use the QE Pro’s USB connectivity with any computer that meets the requirements for the
spectrometer operating software being used (W indow s XP/Vista/Windows 7, Mac OS X and Linux). See

About Ocean Optics Software

Alternately, the QE Pro has a serial port for connecting to PCs and PLCs. However, this connection
method requires an external power supply to power the QE Pro, the Breakout Box, and a serial cable.

EEPROM Utilization

Nonvolatile memory in each QE Pro contains wavelength calibration coefficients, linearity coefficients,
and a serial number unique to each individual spectrometer. The OOI software application reads these
values directly from the spectrometer, enabling the ability to “hot-swap” spectrometers between
computers without entering the spectrometer coefficients manually on each computer.

891-00000-000-02-201401 3

.

1: Introduction

About Ocean Optics Software

OceanView 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.

OceanView is a user-customizable, advanced acquisition and display program that provides a real-time
interface to a variety of signal-processing functions. With OceanView, 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 OceanView manual for hardware requirements when using OceanView (see

Product-Related Documentation

).

Sampling System Overview

How Sampling Work s

Ocean Optics components function in a sampling system as follows in this example:

1. The user stores reference and dark measurements to correct for instrument response variables.

2. The light transmits through an optical fiber to the sample.

3. The light interacts with the sample.

4. Another optical fiber collects and transmits the result of the interaction to the spectrometer.

5. The spectrometer measures the amount of light and transforms the data collected by the

spectrometer into digital information.

6. The spectrometer passes the sample information to Ocean Optics software.

7. Ocean Optics software compares the sample to the reference measurement and displays processed

spectral info rmation.

Modular Sampling Accessories

Ocean Optics offers a complete line of spectro scop ic ac cesso ri es for use with the QE Pro. Most of our
spectroscopic accessories have SMA connectors for application flexibility. Accordingly, changing the
sampling system components is as easy as unscrewing a connector and replacing an accessory.

Interface Options

The QE Pro has both USB and serial port connectors (with the use of an adapter), enabling you to connect
the spectrometer to a desktop or notebook computer via a USB port or serial port.

4 891-00000-000-02-201401

1: Introduction

Computer
Interface

Computer via
USB Port

Desktop or
Notebook PC
via Serial Port

Operating System Requirements Part Needed Description of Part

OceanView: Windows XP/Vista/7/8 for PC;
OS X version 10.5 or later for Mac; and
Red Hat 9 or later, Fedora (any version),
Debian 3.1 or later (Sarge), and any version
released for an x86 or amd64 platform since
2010 for Linux

Any 32-bit or 64-bit Windows operating
system

Shipment Components

 QE Pro Spectrometer
 USB-CBL-1
 + 5VDC power supply

USB-CBL-1
(included)

HR4­BREAKOUT
(not
included)

Cable that connects from USB
port on QE Pro to USB port on
desktop or notebook PC

Adapter block that enables
connection from serial port on
QE Pro to serial port on
desktop or notebook PC;
comes with 5 VDC power
supply (required when
connecting to serial port)

The following information and documentation also ships with the QE Pro Spectrometer:

 Packing List

The packing list is inside a plastic bag attached to the outside of the shipment box (the invoice

arrives separately). It lists all items in the order, including customized components in the

spectrometer (such as the grating, detector collection lens, and slit). The packing list also includes

the shipping and billing addresses, as well as any items on back order.

 Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet

Each spectrometer is shipped with a Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet that contains information

unique to your spectrometer. Your spectrom eter operating software reads this calibration data

from your spectrometer when it interfaces to a computer via the USB port.

Note

Please save the Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet for future reference.

891-00000-000-02-201401 5

1: Introduction

 Software and Technical Resources CD

Each order ships with the Ocean Optics Software and Resources CD. This disc contains software,

operating instructions, and product information for all Ocean Optics software, spectrometers, and

spectroscopic accessories. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6.0 or higher to view these

files. Ocean Optics includes the Adobe Acrobat Reader on the Software and Technical Resources

CD.

All Ocean Optics software requires a password during the installation process. You can locate

passwords for the other purchased software applications on the back of the Software and

Technical Resources CD package.

Other Accessories Available

Visit us at www.OceanOptics.com for a complete list of products available for all of your spectroscopy
needs.

 Slits
 Fibers
 Light Sources
 Integrated Sampling Systems
 Cuvettes
 Filter Holders
 Lithium Ion Battery Pack
 HR4-BREAKOUT Breakout Box

Breakout Box

Ocean Optics also offers the Breakout Box (HR4-BREAKOUT), a passive module that separates the
signals from their 22-pin port to an array of standard connectors and headers, enabling easy access to a
variety of features found in Ocean Optics’ QE Pro Spectrometer. In addition to the accessory connector,
the breakout box features a circuit board based on a neutral breadboard pattern that allows custom
circuitry to be prototyped on the board itself.

Note

Be aware when using the Breakout Box that the signals for hardware flow control

(handshaking) are not connected in the QE Pro.

6 891-00000-000-02-201401

Chapter 2

Installing the QE Pro

Overview

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

If you have already connected the QE Pro to the computer prior to installing the operating software,
consult Chapter 3: Troubleshooting

for information on correcting a corrupt QE Pro installation.

QE Pro Installation

This section contains ins tructions for connecting the QE Pro via both USB and serial modes.

USB Mode

This section contains instructions for connecting the QE Pro in USB mode. To connect the QE Pro to a
computer via the USB port, the computer must be running a Windows XP/Vista/7/8, Mac OS X (10.5 or
later), or Linux (x86 or amd64 platform since 2010) operating system.

►

Procedure

Follow the steps below to connect the QE Pro to a computer via the USB port:

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

Caution

Do NOT connect the spectrometer to the computer until you install the spectrometer

operating software. Follow the instructions below to properly connect and configure

your system.

2. Plug the +5 VDC power supply into the QE Pro.

3. Locate the USB cable (USB-CBL-1) provided with the QE Pro.

4. Insert the square end of the cable into the side of the QE Pro.

5. Insert the rectangular end of the cable into the USB port of the PC.

891-00000-000-02-201401 7

2: Installing the QE-PRO

If you installed the spectrometer operating software prior to connecting the QE Pro, the software installs
the QE Pro drivers. If the drivers do not successfully install (or if you connected the QE Pro to the
computer before installing the software), consult Chapter 3: Troubleshooting

.

Serial Port Mode

► Procedure

Follow the steps below to connect the QE Pro to the PC via serial port:

1. Plug the 5 VDC external power supply into an outlet and connect it to the QE Pro.

2. Connect the serial cable adapter block to the appropriate pins of the QE Pro’s 30-Pin Accessory

Connector.

3. Connect one end of the 9-pin serial cable to the adapter block on the QE Pro, and then connect

the other end to a serial port on the PC.

4. Note the number of the serial port (COM Port) to which you connected the QE Pro (some PCs

may not have numbered ports; handheld PCs typically have only one serial port).

LED Operation

The QE Pro features two status LEDs:

LED Position Meaning

Top LED Monitors Spectrometer status:

• Off – spectrometer does not have power

• Flashing orange – spectrometer is booting

• Steady green – spectrometer is ready

Bottom LED Monitors TEC status:

• Off: The TEC system is off.

• Orange: The TEC has not yet stabilized at its given setpoint.

• Green: The TEC is stable (has been within 1°C of the

setpoint for at least 15 seconds).

Configuring the QE Pro

The QE Pro can be used with OceanView software when connected to the USB port. If you have
followed the previous steps and started your spectrometer operating software, the spectrometer is already
acquiring data. Even with no light in the spectrometer, there should be a dynamic trace displayed in the

8 891-00000-000-02-201401

2: Installing the QE-PRO

bottom of the graph. If you allow light into the spectrometer, the graph trace should rise with increasing
light intensity. This means the software and hardware are correctly installed.

Configuring QE Pro in OceanView

If you have followed the previous steps and started OceanView, your spectrometer appears in the
Schematic and Graph Views:

QE Pro in OceanView

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2: Installing the QE-PRO

OceanView QE Pro Acquisition Controls

In OceanView, the Acquisition Parameter Controls allow you to set the desired parameters for QE Pro.

TE Cooler

► Procedure

To control the TE Cooler,

1. Right-click on the QE Pro in the Schematic View.

2. Select New Acquisition | Thermo-Electric Cooling.

10 891-00000-000-02-201401

2: Installing the QE-PRO

Buffering

► Procedure

To control buffering,

1. Right-click on the QE Pro in the Schematic View.

2. Select New Acquisition | Data Buffer.

Data buffering can also be set using the Acquisition Parameter Controls.

Procedure

►

To add data buffering controls to the Acquisition Parameter Controls,

1. Click on the Add/Remove Controls tab.

2. Select Data Buffer. The Data Buffer controls appear on the Main Controls tab.

891-00000-000-02-201401 11

2: Installing the QE-PRO

3. Select the data buffering capacity (the total number of scans the device can store at once).

4. Click Clear Buffer to set the buffer to zero and start over.

Connect Spectroscopic Accessories

To find operating instructions for QE Pro compatible products (such as light sources, sampling chambers,
and probes), consult the Software and Technical Resources CD or the Ocean Optics website at

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

.

External Triggering Options

You can trigger the QE Pro using a variety of External Triggering options through the 30-pin Accessory
Connector on the spectrometer. See the External Triggering Options document located at

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/External-Triggering2.pdf. The triggering document contains

instructions for configuring External Triggering options for the QE Pro.

12 891-00000-000-02-201401

Chapter 3

Troubleshooting

Overview

The following sections contain information on troubleshooting issues you may encounter when using the
QE Pro Spectrometer.

QE Pro Connected to Computer Prior to Software Installation

Windows Operating Systems

If you connected your Ocean Optics QE Pro device to the computer prior to installing your spectrometer
operating software application (OceanView) on a Windows platform, you may encounter installation
issues that you must correct before your Ocean Optics device will operate properly.

Follow the applicable steps below to remove the incorrectly installed device, device driver, and
installation files.

Note

If these procedures do not correct your device driv er problem , you must obtain the

Correcting Device Driver Issues document from the Ocean Optics website:

http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/engineering/correctingdevicedriverissues.pdf

Remove the Unknown Device from Windows Device Man ager

► Procedure

1. Open Windows Device Manager. Consult the Windows operating instructions for your computer

for directions, if needed.

2. Locate the Other Devices option and expand the Other Devices selection by clicking on the "+"

sign to the imme diate le ft.

.

Note

Improperly installed USB devices can also appear under the Universal Serial Bus

Controller option. Be sure to check this location if you cannot locate the unknown device.

891-00000-000-02-201401 13

3: Troubleshooting

3. Locate the unknown device (marked with a large question mark). Right-click on the Unknown

Device listing and select the Uninstall or Remove option.

4. Click the OK button to continue. A warning box appears confirming the removal of the Unknown

Device. Click the OK button to confirm the device removal.

5. Disconnect the QE Pro from your computer.

6. Locate the section in this chapter that is appropriate to your operating system and perform the

steps in the following Remove Improperly Installed Files section.

Remove Improperly Installed Files

► Procedure

1. Open Windows Explorer.

2. Navigate to the Windows | INF directory.

Note

If the INF directory is not visible, you must disable the Hide System Files and Folders

and Hide File Extensions for Known File Types options in Windows Folder Options.

Access Windows Folder Options from Windows Explorer, under the Tools | Folder

Options menu selection.

3. Delete the OOI_USB.INF in the INF directory. If your computer is running either the Windows

2000 or XP operating system, you must also delete the OOI_USB.PNF file in the INF directory.

4. Navigate to the Windows | System32 | Drivers directory.

5. Delete the EZUSB.SYS file.

6. Reinstall your Ocean Optics application and reboot the system when prompted.

7. Plug in the USB device.

The system is now able to locate and install the correct drivers for the USB device.

Mac Operating Systems

Since there are no device files for the QE Pro Spectrometer in a Mac operating system, you should not
encounter any problems if you installed the spectrometer before the operating software.

Linux Operating Systems

For Linux operating systems, all you need to do is install the softwar e, then unplug and replug in the
spectrometer. Technically, the driver files for Linux simply give nonprivileged users permission to use
newly connected hardware. There isn’t any long-term harm to plugging in the device before installing the
software.

14 891-00000-000-02-201401

Appendix A

Calibrating the Wavelength of

the QE Pro

Overview

This appendix describes how to calibrate the wavelength of your spectrometer using SpectraSuite
spectrometer operating software. Though each spectrometer is calibrated before it leaves Ocean Optics,
the wavelength for all spectrometers will drift slightly as a function of time and environmental conditions.
Ocean Optics recommends periodically recalibrating the QE Pro.

About Wavelength Calibration

You are going to be solving the following equation, which shows that the relationship between pixel
number and wavelength is a third-order polynom ial:

λ

= I + C1 p + C2 p2 + C3 p

p

Where:

λ

= the wavelength of pixel p

I = the wavelength of pixel 0

= the first coefficient (nm/pixel)

C

1

= the second coefficient (nm/pixel2)

C

2

= the third coefficient (nm/pixel3)

C

3

You will be calculating the value for I and the three Cs.

3

891-00000-000-02-201401 15

A: Calibrating the Wavelength of the QE Pro

Calibrating the Spectrometer

Preparing for Calibration

To recalibrate the wavelength of your spectrometer, you need the following components:

• A light source capable of producing spectral lines

Note

Ocean Optics’ HG-1 Mercury-Argon lamp is ideal for recalibration. If you do not have an

HG-1, you need a light source that produces several (at least 4-6) spect ral lines in th e

wavelength region of your spectrometer.

• A QE Pro spectrometer

• An optical fiber (for spectrometers without a built-in slit, a 50-

• A spreadsheet program (Excel or Quattro Pro, for example) or a calculator that performs third-

order linear regressions

µm fiber works best)

Note

If you are using Microsoft Excel, choose Tools | Add-Ins and check AnalysisToolPak

and AnalysisTookPak-VBA.

Calibrating the Wavelength of the Spectrometer

► Procedure

Perform the steps below to calibrate the wavelength of the spectrometer:

1. Place the spectrometer operating software into Quick View mode in OceanView and take a
spectrum of your light source. Adjust the integration time (or the A/D conversion frequency) until
there are several peaks on the screen that are not off-scale.

2. Move the cursor to one of the peaks and position the cursor so that it is at the point of maximum
intensity.

3. Record the pixel number that is displayed in the status bar or legend (located beneath the graph).
Repeat this step for all of the peaks in your spectrum.

4. Use the spreadsheet program or calculator to create a table like the one shown in the following
figure. In the first column, place the exact or true wavelength of the spectral lines that you used.

In the second column of this worksheet, place the observed pixel number. In the third column,
calculate the pixel number squared, and in the fourth column, calculate the pixel number cubed.

16 891-00000-000-02-201401

A: Calibrating the Wavelength of the QE Pro

Independent

Dependent

Values Computed

Variable

Variables

True Wavelength (nm) Pixel # Pixel # 2 Pixel # 3

253.65

296.73

302.15

313.16

334.15

365.02

404.66

407.78

435.84

546.07

576.96

579.07

696.54

706.72

727.29

738.40

751.47

175
296
312
342
402
490
604
613

694
1022
1116
1122
1491
1523
1590
1627
1669

30625
87616

97344
116964
161604
240100
364816
375769
481636

1044484
1245456
1258884
2223081
2319529
2528100
2647129
2785561

5359375
25934336
30371328
40001688
64964808

117649000
220348864
230346397

334255384
1067462648
1389928896
1412467848
3314613771
3532642667
4019679000
4306878883
4649101309

Predicted

Wavelength

from the Regr ession

Output

253.56

296.72

302.40

313.02

334.19

365.05

404.67

407.78

435.65

546.13

577.05

579.01

696.70

706.62

727.24

738.53

751.27

Difference

0.09

0.01

-0.25

0.13

-0.05

-0.04

-0.01

0.00

0.19

-0.06

-0.09

0.06

-0.15

0.10

0.06

-0.13

0.19

5. Use the spreadsheet or calculator to calculate the wavelength calibration coefficients. In the
spreadsheet program, find the functions to perform linear regressions.

• If using Quattro Pro, look under Tools | Advanced Math

• If using Excel, look under Analysis ToolPak

6. Select the true wavelength as the dependent variable (Y). Select the pixel number, pixel number
squared, and the pixel number cubed as the independent variables (X). After executing the
regression, you will obtain an output similar to the one shown below. Numbers of importance are
noted.

Regression Statistics

Multiple R 0.999999831
R Square 0.999999663 R Squared
Adjusted R Square 0.999999607
Standard Error 0.125540214
Observations 22

Intercept

Coefficients Standard Error

Intercept 190.473993 0.369047536 First coefficient
X Variable 1 0.36263983 0.001684745
X Variable 2-1.174416E-05 8.35279E-07
X Variable 3-2.523787E-09 2.656608E-10 Second coefficient

Third coeffic ient

891-00000-000-02-201401 17

A: Calibrating the Wavelength of the QE Pro

7. Record the Intercept, as well as the First, Second, and Third Coefficients. Additionally, look at
the value for R squared. It should be very close to 1. If not, you have most likely assigned one of
your wavelengths incorrectly.

Keep these values at hand.

Saving the New Calibration Coefficients: USB Mode

Ocean Optics programs wavelength calibration coefficients unique to each QE Pro onto an EEPROM
memory chip in the QE Pro.

You can overwrite old calibration coefficients on the EEPROM if you are using the QE Pro via the USB
port.

►

Procedure

To save wavelength calibration coefficients using the USB mode, perform the following steps:

1. Ensure that the QE Pro is connected to the PC and that you have closed all other applications.

2. Point your browser to http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/softwaredownloads.asp
scroll down to Microcode. Select Update QE Pro Utility.

3. Save the files to your computer and extract them from the zip file.

4. Double-click the UpdateQE-PRO.bat file to run the software.

5. Click on the desired QE Pro device displayed in the Devices pane.

and

18 891-00000-000-02-201401

A: Calibrating the Wavelength of the QE Pro

6. Double-click on each of the calibration coefficients displayed in the Wavelength Coe fficients
pane of the USB Programmer screen and enter the new values acquired in Step 5 of the

Calibrating the Wavelength of the Spectrometer

section in this appendix.

7. Repeat Step 6 for all of the new values.

8. Click on the Write Coefficients to Device button to save the information, and then select File|
Exit to exit the QE Pro Reflash Utility software.

The new wavelength calibration coefficients are now loaded onto the EEPROM memory chip on the QE
Pro.

891-00000-000-02-201401 19

A: Calibrating the Wavelength of the QE Pro

20 891-00000-000-02-201401

Appendix B

Specifications

Overview

This appendix contains information on spectrometer operation, specifications, and system compatibility.
It also includes accessory connector pinout diagrams and pin-specific information.

How the QE Pro Works

Below is a diagram of how light moves through the optical bench of a QE Pro Spectrometer. The optical
bench has no moving parts that can wear or break; all the components are fixed in place at the time of
manufacture.

QE Pro Spectrometer with Componen ts

891-00000-000-02-201401 21

B: Specifications

QE Pro Components Table

Ocean Optics permanently secures all components in the QE Pro at the time of manufacture. Only Ocean
Optics technicians can replace interchangeable components, where noted.

Item Name Description

1

2 Slit

3 Filter

4

5 Grating

SMA
Connector

Collimating
Mirror

Secures the input fiber to the spectrometer. Light from the input fiber enters the
optical bench through this connector.

A dark piece of material containing a rectangular aperture, which is mounted directly
behind the SMA Connector. The size of the aperture regulates the amount of light
that enters the optical bench and controls spectral resolution.

You can also use the QE Pro without a Slit. In this configuration, the diameter of the
fiber connected to the QE Pro determines the size of the entrance aperture.

Only Ocean Optics technicians can change the Slit.
Restricts optical radiation to pre-determined wavelength regions. Light pas s es

through the Filter before entering the optical bench. Both bandpass and longpass
filters are available to restrict radiation to certain wavelength regions.

Only Ocean Optics technicians can change the Filter.
Focuses light entering the optical bench towards the Grating of the spectrometer.

Light enters the spectrometer, passes through the SMA Connector, Slit, and Filter,
and then reflects off the Collimating Mirror onto the Grating.

Diffracts light from the Collimating Mirror and directs the diffracted light onto the
Focusing Mirror. Gratings are available in different groove densities, allowing you to
specify wavelength coverage and resolution in the spectrometer.

Only Ocean Optics technicians can change the Grating.

6

7

8

22 891-00000-000-02-201401

Focusing
Mirror

Back­thinned
Area
Detector
with TE
Cooling

Detector
with OFLV
Filter

Receives light reflected from the Grating and focuses the light onto the CCD
Detector or L2 Detector Collection Lens (depending on the spectrometer
configuration).

Provides 90% quantum efficiency and bins pixels in a vertical column to acquire
light form the entire height of the spectrometer’s slit image. This improves light
collection and signal-to-noise significantly. This 2D area detector is back-thinned
(back-illuminated) and does not require the detector upgrade that is normally
applied to other detectors.

Only Ocean Optics technicians can add or remove the Detector.

Eliminates second-order effects and is used with an HC-1 Grating in a 200-950 nm
wavelength system in a QE Pro.

B: Specifications

QE Pro Specifications

The following sections provide specification information for the CCD detector in the QE Pro, as well as
the QE Pro Spectrometer itself.

CCD Detector Specifications

Specification Value

Detector Hamamatsu S7031-1006 Low Etaloning
Detector range 185-1100 nm
Pixels 1024 active
Pixel size 24 μm2
Quantum efficiency

90% peak; 65% at 250 nm. See Quantum Efficiency of Detector graph
below.

QE Pro Spectrometer Specifications

Specification Value

Integration time 8 ms to 60 minutes
Typical dynamic range ~85,000:1
Signal-to-noise ratio 1000:1 (single acquisition)
Readout Noise 2.5 counts RMS (typical)
Stray light <0.08% at 600 nm; 0.4% at 435 nm
Linearity

Corrected
f number f/4

0.5% nonlinearity (max)

Fiber optic connector SMA 905 and Ocean Optics FC
Gratings 14 gratings available (H1--H14), HC1 grating

Entrance aperture

891-00000-000-02-201401 23

5, 10, 25, 50, 100 or 200 µm wide slits

slit)

(or SMA/FC bulkhead with no

B: Specifications

Specification Value

Optical resolution (FWHM) Depends on grating and size of entrance aperture

OFLV-QE (200-950 nm); OFLV-QE-250 (250-1000 nm); OFLV-

OFLV filters

QE-300 (300-1050 nm); OFLV-QE-350 (350-1100 nm); OFLV-QE­400 (400-1150 nm)

Temperature
Operation

Humidity ≤ 90% noncondensing
Power consumption

TEC On
TEC Off

Supply Voltage 4.5 – 5.5 V
Power-up Time 7 seconds
Interfaces USB 2.0, 480 Mbps (USB 1.1 compatible); RS-232 (5-wire)
Dimensions (LxWxH) 182 mm (7.16 in.) x 110 mm (4.33 in.) x 47 mm (1.85 in.)
Weight

QE Pro
Power Supply

@ 40° below ambient

TE Cooler can only cool 40 °C below ambient temperature

-40 °C to +50 °C

15W (Max)

2.5W (Max, Typical)

1.15 kg (2.6 lbs.)

0.45 kg (1 lb.)

System Compatibility

You can use the QE Pro’s USB connectivity with any computer that meets the requirements for the
spectrometer operating software being used (W indow s XP/Vista/Windows 7/8, Mac OS X and Linux).
See About Ocean Optics Software

.

Alternately, the QE Pro has a serial port for connecting to PCs, PLCs, and other devices with a Windows
32-bit operating system that support the RS-232 communication protocol. However, this connection
method requires an external power supply to power the QE Pro, the HR4000 Breakout Box, and a serial
cable.

30-Pin Accessory Connector Pinout

The QE Pro features a 30-pin Accessory Connector, located on the side of the unit as shown:

24 891-00000-000-02-201401

B: Specifications

Location of QE Pro 30-Pin Accessory Connector

30-Pin Accessory Connector Pinout Diagram

When facing the 30-pin Accessory Connector on the front of the vertical wall of the QE Pro, pin
numbering is as follows:

USB

Port

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

30-Pin Accessory Connector Pinout Diagram

30-Pin Accessory Connector – Pin Definitions and Descriptions

The following table contains information regarding the function of each pin in the QE Pro’s 30-Pin
Accessory Connector:

Pin # Function Input/Output Description

1 RS232 Rx Input

2 RS232 Tx Output

RS232 receive signal – Communicates with a PC over DB9
Pin 3

RS232 transmit signal – Communicates with a PC over DB9

Pin 2
3 GPIO (2) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output
4 - - Unused

891-00000-000-02-201401 25

B: Specifications

Pin # Function Input/Output Description

5 Ground Input/Output Ground
6 I2C SCL Input/Output I2C clock signal for communication to other I2C peripherals
7 GPIO (0) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output
8 I2C SDA Input/Output I2C data signal for communication to other I2C peripherals
9 GPIO (1) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output

10

Ext. Trigger
In

Input CMOS input trigger tolerant from 3-5V

11 GPIO (3) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output
12 VOUT Output

13 SPI_MOSI Output

14 VOUT Output

15 SPI MISO Input

Output power pin for QE Pro

SPI Master Out Slave In (MOSI) signal for communication to

other SPI peripherals

Output power pin for QE Pro

SPI Master In Slave Out (MISO) signal for communication to

the other SPI peripherals
16 GPIO (4)* Input /Output General Purpose Input Output

CMOS (3.3V) output pulse used as a strobe signal – Has a
17 Single Strobe Output

programmable delay relative to the beginning of the

spectrometer integration period
18 GPIO (5) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output
19 SPI Cloc k Output SPI clock signal for communication to other SPI peripherals

20

Continuous
Strobe

Output

CMOS output signal used to pulse a strobe – Divided down

from the master clock signal
21 SPI CS Output External SPI chip select (active low)
22 GPIO (6) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output

23 RESET Input

24 RS-232 CTS Output

25 Lamp Enable Output

26 891-00000-000-02-201401

This pin is pulled up to 5V by a 10K internal resistor. Pull

down to ground to reset. Leave open for normal operation.

RS-232 Clear to Send control logic signal – used to enable

or suspend host transmission to the QE Pro

CMOS signal driven Active HIGH when the Lamp Enable

B: Specifications

command is sent to the spectrometer

Pin # Function Input/Output Description

26 GPIO (7) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output

27 RS-232 RTS Input

28 GPIO (8) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output
29 Ground Input/Output Ground
30 GPIO (9) Input/Output General Purpose Input Output

RS-232 Request To Send control logic signal -- used to

enable QE Pro transmission to the host

30-Pin J2 Accessory Connector - Part Numbers

The part numbers for the 30-pin accessory connector on the QE Pro Spectrometer are as follows:

• The connector is Pak50™ model from 3M Corp. Headed Connector – Part Number

P50–030P1–RR1–TG.

• The mating connector is Part Number P50–030S–TGF.

• Mating the two components requires two 1.27 mm (50 mil) flat ribbon cables (3M 3365 Series is

recommended, HR4-CBL-DB15).

HR4-CBL-DB15 Accessory Cable Pinout

Pin # Description Pin # Description

1 Single_strobe 9 GPIO-9
2 ContStrobe 10 GND_SIGNAL
3 V5_SW 11 SDA
4 ExtTrigIn 12 SCL
5 ExtTrigIn 13 LampEnable
6 GPIO-8 14 A_IN
7 A_OUT 15 GPIO-7

8 ExtTrigIn

891-00000-000-02-201401 27

Index

Numbers

15-pin accessory cable

pinouts, 27

30-pin accessory connector

diagram, 25
part numbers, 27
pin definitions, 25

A

accessories, 6, 12
Accessories, 4
accessory connector

pinout, 24

Acquisition Controls

OceanView, 10

Adobe Acrobat Reader, 5

B

breakout box, 6
buffering, 11

D

Detector Collection Lens, 22
document

audience, iii
purpose, iii
summary, iii

E

EEPROM, 3
External Triggering, 12

F

features, 2
filter, 22
focusing mirror, 22

G

grating, 22

C

Calibrating, iii, 15
calibration, 15

preparing for, 16
procedure, 16

calibration coefficients

saving in USB mode, 18
CCD Detector, 22
collimating mirror, 22
compatibility, 24
Components Table, 22
configuring, 8

in OceanView, 9
configuring in OceanView

buffering, 11

TE Cooler, 10

891-00000-000-02-201401 28

Installation, 7

Serial Port mode, 8

USB mode, 7
installed filter, 22
Interface, 4

L2 Detector Collection Lens, 22
LED operation, 8
Lens, 22

I

L

B: Specifications

M

memory chip, 3
mirror, 22
models, 2

O

OceanView

Acquisition Controls, 10
configuring in, 9

Options

Interface, 4

P

packing list, 5
passwords, 6
power supply (external), 2, 3, 5, 7, 24
product-related documentation, iii

Q

QE-PRO

specifications, 23

T

TE Cooler, 1, 10, 24
Triggering, 12
troubleshooting

Linux systems, 14

Mac systems, 14
Troubleshooting, 13

U

upgrades, iv
USB mode, 7
USB-ADP-PC, 5
USB-CBL-1, 5

W

warranty, iv
Wavelength Calibration

about, 15
Wavelength Calibration Data File, 5
Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet, 5

S

Sampling

Accessories, 4

System, 4
Serial Port mode, 8
setup, 7
shipment components, 5
slit, 22
SMA Connector, 22
Software and Resources Library CD, 5
specifications, 21

QE-PRO, 23

spectrometer, 23
spectroscopic accessori es, 12
System Requirements, 3

891-00000-000-02-201401 29