Princeton LS 785 User Manual

15 Discovery Way, Acton, MA 01720

Phone: (978)263-3584, Fax: (978)263-5086

Web Site: www.princetoninstruments.com

LS 785

High Throughput Lens Spectrograph

User Manual

Ver. 1.3

Chapter 1 -- General ........................................................................................... 5

Description .............................................................................................................................................. 5

Features and Benefits .............................................................................................................................. 5

Recommended Detectors ......................................................................................................................... 5

Inside the LS 785 ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Chapter 2 -- Operation ........................................................................................ 7

Hardware Installation .............................................................................................................................. 7

Mounting the Detector to the LS 785 .................................................................................................................7

Making the Cable Connections ..........................................................................................................................7

WinSpec Software and the LS 785 ......................................................................................................... 8

Software Installation ...........................................................................................................................................8

LS 785 Calibration .............................................................................................................................................8

Focus Adjustment ...............................................................................................................................................9

Wavelength Adjustment .....................................................................................................................................9

LightField Software and the LS 785 ..................................................................................................... 10

Software Installation ......................................................................................................................................... 10

LS 785 Calibration ........................................................................................................................................... 10

Focus Adjustment ............................................................................................................................................. 11

Wavelength Adjustment ................................................................................................................................... 12

Manual Slit Width Adjustment ............................................................................................................. 13

Grating Assembly Interchange .............................................................................................................. 14

Shutter Replacement ............................................................................................................................. 16

X-Y Fiber Adapter ................................................................................................................................ 17

Appendix A – Specifications ........................................................................... 19

Outline Drawing .................................................................................................................................... 19

Relative Wavelength Coverage with 1200 g/mm Grating .................................................................... 20

Typical Neon Spectra from LS 785 ....................................................................................................... 20

Appendix B -- Mounting the Detector ............................................................. 21

PIXIS ..................................................................................................................................................... 22

Spec 10 LN with Integrated Shutter ...................................................................................................... 23

Spec 10 LN without Shutter .................................................................................................................. 24

Figures

Figure 2-1. HTS Calibration dialog ........................................................................................................................... 8

Figure 2-2. Default Calibration Setup dialog ............................................................................................................ 8

Figure 2-3. Focus Adjustment Micrometer .............................................................................................................. 9

Figure 2-4. Wavelength Adjustment Micrometer ...................................................................................................... 9

Figure 2-5. Application Menu ................................................................................................................................. 10

Figure 2-6. LightField Product Key dialog ............................................................................................................. 10

Figure 2-7. Focus Adjustment Micrometer ............................................................................................................ 11

Figure 2-8. Wavelength Adjustment Micrometer .................................................................................................... 12

Figure 2-9. Slit Width Settings of 0.200 mm and 1.38 mm. .................................................................................... 13

Figure 2-10. Grating Assembly ............................................................................................................................... 14

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iv LS 785 High Throughput Lens Spectrograph User Manual

Figure 2-11. Manual Slit .......................................................................................................................................... 16

Figure 2-12. Shutter Assembly ................................................................................................................................ 16

Figure 2-13. 10 mm Insert with Fiber...................................................................................................................... 17

Figure 2-14. SMA Insert with Fiber ........................................................................................................................ 17

Figure 2-15. FC Insert with Fiber ............................................................................................................................ 17

Figure 2-16. X-Y Stage Adjustment ........................................................................................................................ 18

Chapter 1 -- General

Description

The Acton LS 785 is an 85 mm focal length high throughput lens spectrograph specifically designed and optimized for near infrared (NIR) applications. The system features fast f/2 lenses for maximum light gathering power and proprietary anti-reflection coatings for exceptional throughput from 750-1050nm. The unique multielement f/2 lenses provide a flat 2D focal plane optimized for a wide variety of Princeton Instruments CCD detectors up to 8 mm x 27 mm.

Gold-coated plane reflection gratings are used in the LS 785 providing resolution capability of 5cm-1. Each grating is provided on a kinematic mount to enable easy interchanging when required. The standard LS 785 also features micrometer-controlled grating rotation which allows the user to change wavelengths in order to explore different spectral regions of interest.

Features and Benefits

 Highest Light Throughput, Exceptional Image Quality, Greatest Versatility  Easy wavelength adjustment allows use of Raman excitation lasers from 785nm to 830nm  Fast f/2 optical system is ideal for direct fiber optic coupling. No additional f# matching optics required.  Use with a wide variety of Princeton Instruments CCD detectors, including our back-illuminated deep-

depletion NIR CCD detector for unmatched signal-to-noise performance.

 When purchased with a Princeton Instruments CCD detector, the LS 785 is normally focused and aligned

at the factory and shipped as a complete system, ready to operate.

Recommended Detectors

Sensitivity is a critical issue in NIR Raman spectroscopy. Not only is the Raman signal weak due to the longer excitation wavelengths, the efficiency of CCD-based detectors fall off very quickly in the NIR. Princeton Instruments recommends that back illuminated deep depletion sensors be used in this region. The following models will give you the highest sensitivity in the NIR.

 PIXIS 100/400 BR: 100/400 x 1340 20 x 20um pixels back illuminated deep depletion CCDs  PIXIS 256 BR: 1024 x 256 26x26um pixels back illuminated deep depletion CCD

Optionally available detectors: (shipped in separate packaging – see Appendix B for CCD adapters)

 Spec-10 100LN BR: Liquid nitrogen cooled version of the PIXIS 100 BR  Spec-10 256LN BR: Liquid nitrogen cooled version of the PIXIS 256 BR

6 LS 785 High Throughput Lens Spectrograph User Manual

Focus Adjustment

Grating

PIXIS CCD Detector

Entrance Slit

Shutter

Collimating Lens

X-Y Fiber Adapter

Entrance Slit Adjustment

Wavelength Adjustment

Focusing Lens

Inside the LS 785

Chapter 2 -- Operation

Hardware Installation

Mounting the Detector to the LS 785

Optional adapter flanges are available with this LS 785 for the following Princeton Instrument CCD detectors:

1. PIXIS with spectroscopy flange and without shutter.

2. Spec 10 LN w/o shutter

3. Spec 10 LN w/ integrated shutter

Each detector adapter flange is labeled with the name of the CCD detector for which it was designed. Refer to Appendix B for detailed instructions for mounting the detector to your spectrometer.

Note: Due to variation in the distance from the mounting surface to the focal plane in the detectors, it may be necessary to re-adjust the focusing lens for optimum resolution. Also, when changing center wavelength of the LS 785, check the focus. The lens focus

micrometer is located on the back of the instrument and is labeled “FOCUS

ADJUSTMENT”. A black knurled nut on the micrometer housing locks the micrometer

spindle. A clockwise rotation locks the spindle and a counter-clockwise rotation unlocks the spindle.

Making the Cable Connections

The following information briefly describes the cabling connections required for detector operation. For detailed instructions, refer to the user manual supplied with the detector.

PIXIS (without shutter) Detectors:

1. Connect the detector to your computer’s USB port.

2. If there is an external shutter mounted to the spectrometer, plug the shutter cable into the rear of the

detector.

3. Connect the power supply to the detector and a power source.

4. Turn on the detector.

Spec-10 LN Detectors:

1. Connect the detector to the ST-133 Controller shipped with the detector.

2. Connect the controller to your computer’s interface card (TAXI or USB).

3. Connect the controller to a power source.

4. If there is a Princeton Instruments 25 mm external shutter mounted to the spectrometer and the Spec-10

does not have an internal shutter, plug the external shutter cable into the Shutter Control “Remote” connector on the rear of the controller.

5. Turn on the controller.

8 LS 785 High Throughput Lens Spectrograph User Manual

Figure 2-1. HTS Calibration dialog

Figure 2-2. Default Calibration

Setup dialog

WinSpec Software and the LS 785

Software Installation

1. Verify that the detector (and controller) is connected to the computer and that the detector is turned on.

2. Turn on your computer.

3. If WinSpec/32 was purchased with the LS 785, install WinSpec/32 using the installation disk and

password supplied.

4. When prompted to “Select Installation Type, select “Complete” to insure installing necessary

components.

5. If using a previously installed version of WinSpec, check the “Tools” pull down menu and insure that

“HTS Calibration” is present. If it is not present and the version of WinSpec is 2.5.23 or greater, reinstall WinSpec and select “Complete” install. If the version number is less than 2.5.23, contact Princeton

Instruments to purchase an upgrade to the latest version of WinSpec.

LS 785 Calibration

1. Start WinSpec and select “HTS Calibration” from the

“Tools” menu. If not already set up, set the grating to 1200

g/mm and enter the center wavelength you are using.

2. Set the CCD Information parameters to match the ones for

your detector. For example, if you are using a PIXIS detector, set the pixels to 1340 and the pixel width to 20.

Note: “Load Defaults” will load the pixels and pixel width information for the currently active detector.

3. Under HTS Calibration Data Directory, use the button

beside the window to browse to the LS 785 calibration disk supplied. Click on "Calibrate". Based on the Center Wavelength you entered, this loads the WinSpec calibration values.

4. Now, select "Setup" from the WinSpec "Calibration" menu.

On the Default Calibration Setup dialog, set the units to nm and the calibration method to Polynomial, Order 2. Check the calibration points listed and compare them to the ones in the HTS Calibration dialog from above. The pixel values will have greater resolution in the Default Calibration Setup dialog, but other than that, they should match. If they do match, click “OK” to close the

Calibration Setup window and click “Close” to close the HTS

Calibration window. If they do not match, set the default calibration values in the Default Calibration Setup dialog to match those of the HTS Calibration dialog.

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