Ocean Optics UV-VIS User Manual
The Curie
UV-VIS Emission Spectrofluorometer
Installation and Operation Manual
Document Number 640-11100-000-02-0406
Offices:
E-mail: Info@OceanOptics.com (General sales inquiries)
Ocean Optics, Inc.
830 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, FL, USA 34698
Phone 727.733.2447
Fax 727.733.3962
8 a.m.– 8 p.m. (Mon-Thu), 8 a.m.– 6 p.m. (Fri) EST
Ocean Optics B.V. (Europe)
Geograaf 24, 6921 EW DUIVEN, The Netherlands
Phone 31-(0)26-3190500
F ax 31-(0)26-3190505
Info@OceanOpticsBV.com (European sales inquiries)
Orders@OceanOptics.com (Questions about orders)
TechSupport@OceanOptics.com (Technical support)
000-00000-000-02-06
Copyright © 2001-2006 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
Document Summary.................................................................................................................. iii
Product-Related Documentation ............................................................................................... iii
Upgrades......................................................................................................................... iv
Chapter 1: Introduction ......................................................................1
Overview ......................................................................................................................... 1
Features of the Curie System.......................................................................................... 1
Curie System Contents ................................................................................................... 2
Other Items Included with Shipment ......................................................................................... 3
Operating Requirements ................................................................................................. 4
Recommended Additions ..........................................................................................................4
Installing OOIBase32 Software ....................................................................................... 4
Installing Custom Curie Software to Activate Relative Irradiance Mode................................... 6
Connecting the Curie to a PC.......................................................................................... 7
Connecting the Power Cord ............................................................................................ 7
Chapter 2: Configuration....................................................................9
Introduction...................................................................................................................... 9
Configuring the Curie in OOIBase32............................................................................... 9
Initial Start-up ............................................................................................................................ 9
Operator and Serial Number Dialog Box................................................................................... 9
Default Spectrometer Configuration File ................................................................................... 10
Configure Hardware Screen...................................................................................................... 10
Spectrometer Configuration Dialog Box ....................................................................................11
Enabling the Pushbutton ........................................................................................................... 12
Autoincrementing Filenames..................................................................................................... 13
Disabling the Pushbutton........................................................................................................... 14
Turning on the Light Source ............................................................................................ 15
Configuring Data Acquisition Parameters ................................................................................. 16
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Table of Contents
Chapter 3: Using the Curie System...................................................19
Introduction...................................................................................................................... 19
Performing Experiments with the Curie System .............................................................. 19
Preparing for Experiments......................................................................................................... 19
Performing a Fluorescence Experiment .................................................................................... 20
Application Tips ......................................................................................................................... 28
Chapter 4: Troubleshooting...............................................................33
Introduction...................................................................................................................... 33
Problem 1: Curie System Connected to PC Prior to OOIBase32 Installation.................. 33
Removing the Unknown Device from Windows Device Manager............................................. 33
Removing Improperly Installed Files ......................................................................................... 35
Problem 2: Older Version of OOIBase32 Installed.......................................................... 36
Appendix A: Specifications................................................................37
Curie System................................................................................................................... 37
Compatibility for Desktop or Notebook PCs .................................................................... 40
Appendix B: Calibrating the Wavelength of the Curie Spectrometer
..............................................................................................................41
About Wavelength Calibration......................................................................................... 41
Calibrating the Wavelength of the Spectrometer............................................................. 42
Preparing for Calibration............................................................................................................ 42
Calibrating the Spectrometer..................................................................................................... 42
Saving the New Calibration Coefficients ................................................................................... 44
Appendix C: Relative Irradiance Mode..............................................47
Calibrating the Spectrometer for Relative Irradiance....................................................... 48
Preparing for Calibration............................................................................................................ 48
Calibrating the Spectrometer..................................................................................................... 49
Appendix D: Filter Sets.......................................................................51
Index .....................................................................................................53
ii 640-11100-000-02-0406
About This Manual
Document Purpose and Intended Audience
This document provides you with an installation section to get your system up and running. In addition to
Curie installation and operation instructions, this manual also includes information for locating the
OOIBase32 installation instructions (see Product-Related Documentation
Document Summary
Chapter Description
Chapter 1: Introduction Provides a list of system components, and
operating requirements. Also contains
instructions for connecting the Curie system to
a PC.
).
Chapter 2: Configuration Contains instructions for configuring the Curie
system with the OOIBase32 application
software.
Chapter 3: Using the Curie System Contains instructions for performing
experiments using the Curie system.
Chapter 4: Troubleshooting Provides a list of possible problems that you
may encounter when using your Curie system
and suggested solutions.
Appendix A: Specifications Provides product specifications for the Curie
system.
Appendix B: Calibrating the Wavelength of the
Curie Spectrometer
Appendix C: Relative Irradiance Mode
Appendix D: Filter Sets
Provides instructions for calibrating the
wavelength of the Curie system.
Contains information about Relative Irradiance
Mode.
Contains specifications for the filters supplied
with the Curie.
Product-Related Documentation
• OOIBase32 Spectrometer Operating Software, Operating Instructions
Correcting Device Driver Issues
•
External Triggering Options
•
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About This Manual
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.
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.
iv 640-11100-000-02-0406
Chapter 1
Introduction
Overview
The Ocean Optics Curie UV-VIS Emission Spectrofluorometer is a self-contained fluorescence system
(the Curie system) that represents a new level of innovation and simplicity in spectroscopy. This
standalone system contains all the components required to make fluorescence measurements in a single
package with a remarkably compact footprint.
The Curie is a high-sensitivity cuvette spectrofluorometer for measuring fluorophores in liquids. The
Curie is a versatile lab system distinguished by internal filtering technology that helps to discriminate
between powerful excitation source wavelengths and the weak spectral emissions from samples, so that
additional correction for excitation and emission is unnecessary and data is more reliable.
Features of the Curie System
Your Curie system offers the following features:
• A high-sensitivity 2048-element CCD-array detector.
• Full spectral analysis (i.e., 2048 wavelengths over the 200–850 nm spectral range). The Curie
system is preloaded with a microcode that allows you to select a delay between activation of the
excitation source and the start of the emission fluorometer’s integration time (available in future
versions of the Curie). This gated-mode operation is ideal for measuring fluorophores that have
long fluorescence lifetimes, such as lanthanides.
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1: Introduction
• Novel filtering technology. The Curie system is the only emission fluorometer with built-in linear
variable filters (LVFs). These LVFs are ideal for spectrally shaping the excitation energy from
the onboard pulsed-xenon excitation source, and eliminate the need for scanning
monochromators. Each filter’s transmission or blocking band can be moved throughout
230–500 nm or 300–750 nm wavelengths.
• A pushbutton to enable the software trigger for automatic spectral saving.
Curie System Contents
The Curie system contains a USB2000 spectrometer that features a microcode optimized for gated
fluorescence measurements and a pulsed xenon light source. It also comes equipped with a set of Linear
Variable Filters (LVFs) mounted internally on sliding rails. The LVFs allow you to specify the excitation
wavelength range for the measurement and eliminate the need for scanning monochromators found in
other systems.
The Curie also features two user-selectable mirrors; one for use with the UV LVF filters optimized for
UV light (a cold mirror) and one standard mirror for use with the VIS LVF filters. A knob on the top of
the unit allows you to select the mirror to use for a specific measurement. A pushbutton allows you to
easily save a spectrum.
A storage compartment is provided on the side of the Curie for storing filters and cuvettes for your
experiments. A switch allows you to operate the light source and the fan.
Curie System Front View
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1: Introduction
Curie System Left Panel
Other Items Included with Shipment
Your Curie Fluorescence System from Ocean Optics should also contain the following items:
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 Curie components that have been shipped to you, as well as important information such as the
shipping and billing addresses, and any components that may be on back order.
OOIBase32 software (on the Software and Technical Resources CD)
Curie software (on the Custom Software CD)
USB cable (USB-CBL-1)
12 VDC power supply (WT-12V)
One pack of disposable cuvettes (CVD-UV1S-SAM)
One CVD-DIFFUSE
One filter set containing commonly used filters. See Appendix D, Filter Sets for more
information.
One quartz cuvette (CV-FL-Q-10)
Wavelength Calibration Data Sheet: This data sheet contains information unique to the individual
spectrometer contained in your Curie system. The operating software reads this calibration data
from your spectrometer when it interfaces to a PC through the USB port. Should you need to
reenter it at any time, select Spectrometer | Configure | Wavelength Calibration tab in the
OOIBase32 software. See the OOIBase32 documentation for more information (refer to Product-
Related Documentation for instructions on accessing OOIBase32 documentation).
Note
Please keep the Wavelength Calibration Data sheet for future reference.
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1: Introduction
Software and Technical Resources CD: Each Curie system order comes with Ocean Optics’
Software and Technical Resources CD. This CD contains all Ocean Optics software and manuals
for software operation, spectrometers, and spectroscopic accessories.
Documentation is provided in Portable Document Format (PDF). You need the Adobe Acrobat
Reader (version 6.0 or higher) to view these files. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is included on the
CD and will install automatically (if needed) when you attempt to view a document.
With the exception of OOIBase32 Spectrometer operating software, all Ocean Optics software is
password-protected. Passwords for purchased software are located on the back of the Software
and Technical Resources CD package.
Operating Requirements
You must have the following components to use the Curie Fluorescence System:
Ocean Optics Curie Self-contained Fluorescence System and included accessories (including the
12 VDC power supply)
Windows-based PC with USB connectivity
USB device cable (included)
OOIBase32 operating software (included)
Recommended Additions
The following products, available from Ocean Optics, are recommended additions to your system:
Tungsten light source enabling relative irradiance measurements (LS-1-LL)
PS-HG1-ADP cuvette adapter for LS-1-LL for performing in-house relative irradiance
measurements
Fiber Optic Cable ( QP50-2-VIS/NIR) for performing in-house relative irradiance measurements
and wavelength calibration
HG-1 Mercury Argon Calibration Source for Curie wavelength calibration
Annual Service Package (ASP)
Installing OOIBase32 Software
Caution
Do NOT connect the Curie System to your PC until after you have installed the
OOIBase32 software. Follow the instructions below or in the OOIBase32 manual
(see Product-Related Documentation
) to properly connect and configure your system.
► Procedure
To install OOIBase32 software,
1. Close all other applications running on the PC.
4 640-11100-000-02-0406
1: Introduction
2. Start the OOIBase32 installation process.
Installing from CD:
a. Insert the Software and Technical Resources CD containing the OOIBase32 software.
The CD interface automatically launches.
b. Click on Install Ocean Optics Software.
c. Click on OOIBase32 Operating Software. The installation process begins.
Installing from the Web:
a. Go to
http://www.oceanoptics.com/technical/softwaredownloads.asp.
b. Right-click on OOIBase32™ Spectrometer Opera ting Software and select Save
Target As… to download the executable to your machine.
c. Double-click on the downloaded file. The installation process begins.
3. Click the Next button at the Welcome screen. The Read Me File screen appears.
4. Read the Read Me file and click the Next button. The Choose Destination Location screen
appears.
5. Click the Browse button to customize your installation location, or click the Next button to
proceed. The Backup Replaced Files screen appears.
6. Click the Yes button to back up replaced files (OOIBase32 prompts you for a backup location), or
click the No button to proceed. The Select Program Manager Group screen appears.
7. Select a program manager group, and then click the Next button. The Start Installation screen
appears.
8. Click the Next button to begin installation. The OOIBase32 Platinum password screen appears.
9. Enter your OOIBase32 Platinum password here, if necessary. Otherwise, click the OK button to
start the install of the free version of OOIBase32.
10. Click the Finish button when the installation completes.
11. Click the OK button to restart your computer.
You have now installed the OOIBase32 software.
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1: Introduction
Installing Custom Curie Software to Activate Relative
Irradiance Mode
Caution
Do NOT connect the Curie System to your PC until after you have installed the
OOIBase32 software. Follow the instructions below or in the OOIBase32 manual
(see Product-Related Documentation
Prior to shipping, your Curie system was calibrated at the factory to allow for operation in Relative
Irradiance mode. Relative Irradiance mode compensates for the grating efficiency and detector sensitivity
of a specific spectrophotometer (see the OOIBase32 manual for more information). It is recommended
that you run your experiments in this mode to achieve true peak shapes and ratios. Follow the protocol
below to install the calibration performed on your Curie instrument. Once you have followed this
protocol, your Curie will be operating in Relative Irradiance mode when you open the OOIBase32
software.
) to properly connect and configure your system.
To escape Relative Irradiance mode, click S (
signal mode. You can then switch back to Relative Irradiance mode by clicking on the I (
OOIBASE toolbar.
►
Procedure
1. Install the OOIBase32 software (see Installing OOIBase32 Software for installation instructions).
2. After OOIBase32 has installed completely and your computer has restarted, insert the Custom
Software CD.
3. Copy all of the files on the Custom Software CD into your C:\Program Files\Ocean
Optics\OOIBase32 directory. Click OK when prompted to overwrite the files currently in that
directory.
4. Double click on the ConfigurationTree.reg file. Click OK when prompted to allow the file to
write to the registry.
The OOIBase32 software is now ready to run. You can access OOIBase32 via your Start toolbar
or from the C:\Program Files\Ocean Optics\OOIBase32 directory.
) on the OOIBase toolbar. Your system returns to raw
) on the
Note
When the software from the Custom Software CD is run, two File Open Mismatch
screens appear (one for the Reference file and one for the Electrical Dark file) informing
you that the acquisition parameters in your Curie file do not match the current
parameters. Select Yes to use the parameters from the Curie file. You can change these
parameters later, if desired (see Configuring Data Acquisition Parameters
).
6 640-11100-000-02-0406
1: Introduction
Connecting the Curie to a PC
The Curie connects to a PC via a standard USB device cable. USB 1.1 is currently supported.
Caution
Before connecting the Curie to your PC, be sure to install the OOIBase32
Spectrometer Operating Software that comes on the Software and Technical
Resources CD. This software contains the necessary USB drivers for the Curie
system. You should also install the Curie Custom Software to allow for
measurements in Relative Irradiance mode.
► Procedure
To connect the Curie system to your PC,
1. Install the OOIBase32 Spectrometer Operating Software from the Software and Technical
Resources CD (see Installing OOIBase32 Software
should also install the Curie Custom Software from the Custom Software CD (see Installing
Custom Curie Software to Activate Relative Irradiance Mode
2. Once the software is installed, insert the rectangular end of the USB device cable into any USB
port on your PC and the square end into the USB connector on the side of the Curie. The system
automatically discovers and installs the appropriate USB drivers for the Curie.
). To activate Relative Irradiance mode, you
).
Note
The Curie only supports USB connectivity. You cannot use the RS-232 serial port
standard to connect the Curie to your PC.
Connecting the Power Cord
A 12 VDC power supply ( WT-12V) is supplied with your Curie system and is needed to power its pulsed
xenon light source. Plug one end of the power cord into the round power receptacle on the side of the
Curie and the other end into an appropriate power source. Once you have plugged in the power supply,
turn the light source on by placing the power switch on the end of the Curie in the up (on) position.
640-11100-000-02-0406 7
1: Introduction
8 640-11100-000-02-0406
Chapter 2
Configuration
Introduction
This chapter provides instructions for configuring the OOIBase32 Configure Spectrometer options so that
the application recognizes your connected Curie system.
Configuring the Curie in OOIBase32
Once the Curie system is installed (see Installing OOIBase32 Software), you must configure
OOIBase32’s Configure Spectrometer options so that the application recognizes the connected Curie
system and its components.
Note
See the OOIBase32 Spectrometer Operating Software, Operating Instructions for
detailed instructions on configuring your spectrometer in OOIBase32. See Product-
Related Documentation for information on locating this document.
Initial Start-up
The following sections provide information for initially configuring the Curie system in OOIBase32.
With your Curie attached to the computer via the USB port and plugged into the wall power outlet, start
the OOIBase32 software application.
Operator and Serial Number Dialog Box
The Operator and Serial Number dialog box prompts you to enter a user name and software serial
number into OOIBase32. Some of the data files use this information in the data file headers. Since
OOIBase32 is free software, it requires no serial number for installation. You can leave the field as is.
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2: Configuration
Default Spectrometer Configuration File
The Default Spectrometer Configuration File screen prompts you to select a default .SPEC file to use
with the Curie system. The .SPEC file extension is preceded by the unique serial number of the
spectrometer in your Curie system (for example, USBA001.SPEC).
Navigate to the OOIBase32 installation directory and select the default .SPEC file, then proceed. Do not
specify a .SPEC file located on removable media (such as a floppy disk). The Configure Hardware
screen appears.
Configure Hardware Screen
The Configure Hardware screen prompts you to enter spectrometer-specific information into
OOIBase32. Typically, you only need to enter this information once upon first running the OOIBase32
application. However, you can access this screen at any time by selecting Configure | Hardware from
the OOIBase32 menu bar.
Procedure
►
To configure the Curie system, do the following:
1. In the Spectrometer Type field, select S2000/PC2000/PC104/USB2000/H2000 from the drop-
down list.
2. In the A/D Converter Type field, select USB2000 from the drop-down list.
10 640-11100-000-02-0406
2: Configuration
3. In the USB Serial Number field, select the serial number of the USB2000 spectrometer in your
Curie system from the drop-down list.
4. Click OK.
Spectrometer Configuration Dialog Box
► Procedure
To set the system parameters, do the following:
1. Select Spectrometer | Configure from the menu. The Spectrometer Configuration screen
appears.
2. On the Wavelength Calibration tab, ensure that the calibration coefficients (read from a memory
chip in the Curie spectrometer) match the coefficients listed on the Wavelength Calibration data
sheet that came with your spectrometer.
3. Ensure that both the Master and Channel Enabled are selected.
4. Select the A/D Interface tab.
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2: Configuration
5. On the A/D Interface tab, enter the same values that you entered in the Configure Hardware
screen (see Configure Hardware Screen
stored in the .SPEC file.
). When you exit the OOIBase32 application, this data is
6. Click OK to save the data and close the Spectrometer Configuration screen.
Upon exiting OOIBase32, the software stores this configuration information in a spectrometer
configuration file named [your serial number].SPEC. Upon restart, OOIBase32 loads this as the
default .SPEC file. You can change the name of this file by selecting Spectrometer | Save
Configuration As from the menu and changing the name of the saved .SPEC file.
Enabling the Pushbutton
The Curie features a pushbutton software trigger. To use the pushbutton feature to save spectral data, you
must enable Software Trigger mode in the OOIBase32 software. Note that when the pushbutton feature is
enabled, the spectrum on the screen will only update after the pushbutoon is pushed. The display is frozen
until the pushbutton is used.
See Autoincrementing Filenames
file with the base name and numerical index that you specify.
Procedure
►
To enable the pushbutton feature in the OOIBase32 software, do the following:
1. Select Spectrum | Configure Data Acquisition from the menu or click the
Configure Data Acquisition screen appears.
2. Select the External Trigger tab.
to save all spectra in the spectral window automatically and name the
button. The
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