Princeton SP-2300i User Manual

15 Discovery Way, Acton, MA 01720

Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]

Web Site: www.princetoninstruments.com

Operating Instructions

Acton Series

SP-2300i

0.300 Meter Focal Length Triple Grating Imaging
Monochromator / Spectrograph

Rev 4.09.23

Acton SP-2300i

Operating Instructions

CONTENTS: Page
I. Brief Introduction and SP-2300i Description 2

II. Specifications 3
III. SP-2300i Setup 4

A. Unpacking Note 4
B. Connecting the SP-2300i to a Computer 4
C. Cables and Connections for SP-2300i 5
D. Mounting Accessories 6
E. Mounting Focal Plane Detectors 7
F. Slit Width Adjustment in the Model 716 Bilateral Slit 8

IV. SP-2300i Operation 9

A. Initialization 9
B. Operating the SP-2300i Using a Computer 9
C. Focusing and Aligning CCD Array Detectors 12
D. Changing from Monochromator to Spectrograph Operation 13

V. Appendices and Schematic Drawings 14

A. Alternate Start-Up Parameters 14
B. Cable Connection Diagrams 15
C. Standard Slit Assembly Drawing 16
D. Accessories List and Ordering Information 17
E. Gratings for SP2300i 20
F. Certification and Warranty Information 21
G. Drawings 22

1

I: Brief Introduction and SP-2300i Description

Brief Introduction:

This instruction manual is intended to assist you in set-up and operation of your new SP-2300i
monochromator/spectrograph. Even if you are an experienced user of spectroscopic equipment, we suggest
that you follow the manual (at least initially) to insure proper setup and operation. If you have any questions
about the information contained in this manual, please feel free to contact the Princeton Instruments customer
service department at [e-mail] or [phone] / [phone].

SP-2300i Description:

The SP-2300i is a 300 mm focal length monochromator/spectrograph. It features an astigmatism corrected
optical system, triple indexable gratings and triple grating turret. The SP-2300i includes a direct digital grating
scan mechanism with full wavelength scanning capabilities, plus built-in USB 1.1 and RS-232 computer
interfaces, for use with the supplied Monochromator Control Software. The Acton Advanced Series of the
SP-2300i includes Motorized Slits at each Slit Port and a bonus Filter Wheel on the Entrance Slit.

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II: SP-2300i Specifications

Every SP-2300i monochromator or spectrograph includes a triple grating turret
for 1, 2, or 3 gratings, 32-bit microprocessor controlled scanning, built-in
RS-232 and USB interfaces, and micrometer controlled entrance slit.

Specifications (1200g/mm Grating)

Focal Length: 300 mm
Aperture Ratio: f/4
Optical Design: Imaging Czerny-Turner with

original polished aspheric
mirrors

Optical Paths: 90° standard, 180° and multi-

port optional

Scan Range: 0-1400 nm mechanical range
Operating Range: 185 nm to the far infrared

with available gratings and
accessories

Resolution: 0.1 nm at 435.8 nm
Dispersion: 2.7 nm/mm (nominal)
Accuracy: ±0.2 nm
Reproducibility: ±0.05 nm
Drive Step Size: 0.0025 nm (nominal)
Focal Plane Size: 27 mm wide x 14 mm

high

CCD Focus Arrangement: Exclusive O-ring

sealed sliding tube with
unique 3-point focus
stop/fine focus adjustment
mechanism

Detector Coverage: ~68.5nm across a 1.0”

wide focal plane (~137 nm:
600 g/mm grating)

Standard Slits: Micrometer adjustable from

10 µm to 3 mm wide. Slit
heights: 4 & 14 mm

Grating Mount: Triple grating turret for 1, 2,

or 3 gratings

Interchangeable Grating Turrets: Standard
Grating Change Time: Less than 20

seconds

Grating Drive System: 32-bit microprocessor

controlled direct digital
scanning (DDS) system

Scan Linearity: The SP-2300i scans linear

with respect to wavelength

Size: 13.25” long (337 mm) 10”

wide (254 mm) 8” high
(203 mm) 4.875” (123.8 mm)

optical axis height
Weight: 35 lbs (18 kg)
Tested and conforms to European CE

Standards

Figure 1. Includes a 90° optical path,
and micrometer adjustable entrance
and exit slits.

Figure 2. Includes a 90° optical
path, large 14 mm X 27 mm focal
plane, plus sliding tube CCD
adapter with exclusive focus-stop.

Figure 3. Includes micrometer
controlled dual exit slits (90° & 180°),
and motorized mirror for rapid,
computer-controlled exit slit selection.

Figure 4. Includes dual exit ports;
one exit slit and one sliding CCD
adapter with motorized mirror for
rapid, computer-controlled exit
selection.

Figure 5. Includes dual exit ports;
two sliding CCD adapters with
motorized mirror for rapid, computer­controlled exit port selection.

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III: SP-2300i Setup

Note: Report any damage immediately to the carrier and to Princeton Instruments, and

save all packing material.

Section III-A: Unpacking and Inspection

Carefully unpack and examine the SP-2300i and any accessories purchased.

Setup:

Position the monochromator where it will be used and remove all packing materials including the diverter mirror
hold down screw if the diverter mirror option is included. Connect the power supply shipped with the SP-2300i
to the POWER connector on the rear panel of the SP-2300i. This power supply provides +5 volts DC for the
control logic and +24 volts DC for the motor drives. With the power supply switch in the off position, connect the
line cord provided with the SP-2300i to the power supply and the AC line. The power supply will operate with
line voltages between 100 and 240 volts AC, 50/60 Hz. Use the Monochromator Control Software install disk
shipped with the monochromator to install the software on your computer. The icon for this software on your
computer screen is labeled MonoControl. Turn on the power switch on the SP-2300i power supply and the
monochromator should initialize to zero wavelength.

Section III-B: Connecting the SP-2300i Monochromator/Spectrograph to the
Computer

The SP-2300i is designed for operation by computer using RS-232 or USB, control that enables wavelength
scanning at a pre-set linear scan rate, change of scanning speeds, grating selection, rapid GOTO wavelength
positioning, change of grating turrets, and “jog” wavelength positioning. Figure 6 on the next page shows the
cable connections necessary for operation from a computer through the COM ports or with USB. Refer to the
Monochromator Control Software for Windows for operation with a computer.

Controlling the SP-2300i with Monochromator Control Software:

The Monochromator Control software is a stand-alone Acton Series software program for basic scanning and
calibration. Utilities for grating updates and communications are also included. Normally, the software is
installed in the directory C:\Program Files\Princeton Instruments\MonoControl. This directory contains the
subdirectories Bin and Data. The Bin directory contains the executable code for the program.

Upon installation, a Monochromator Control icon is usually placed on the desktop for starting the software. If
this icon is not on the desktop, check for the program in the Windows Start menu\Programs or go directly to the
MonoControl\Bin directory and start the software there. When the Monochromator Control software loads, there
is a main screen with selections for monochromator operation and for various setup functions. (If the buttons
are grayed out, exit the program, connect an Acton Series spectrometer, wait for the spectrometer to initialize,
and then restart the program.) Click on the Operation button and a screen will come up which allows for basic
control of the monochromator wavelength. All functions of this software are described in the Monochromator
Control software manual supplied on the Monochromator Control software install CD.

Controlling the SP-2300i Monochromator at the Command Level:

Although it requires more programming on the user’s part, the monochromator can also be controlled with
direct commands through its USB 1.1 port or RS-232 port. This operation is described in Section IV.

SP-2300i Cable Connections: RS-232 or USB

Figure 6. Details of the RS-232, USB, and Power
Connections on the SP-2300i

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Section III-C: Cables and Connections for SP-2300i

Pin#

Description

1

Open

2

RD data from SP-2300i to computer

3

TD data from computer to SP-2300i

4

open

5

Ground

6

Open

7

RTS

8

CTS

9

open

Pin#

Description

1

+5V

2

GND

3

GND

4

+24

The following computer cables are supplied with the SP-2300i:

CC-499-2 IBM AT or compatible 9 pin female (DB9S) connector to 9 pin male connector (DB9P).
3650-USB-06 USB Cable Type A to Type B.

If neither of these cables is compatible with your system, consult Princeton Instruments for a custom cable. If
you have facilities for constructing a custom cable, use the RS-232 pin arrangement shown in Table 1. See
also Appendix B.

Table 1: RS-232 Computer Interface Pin Arrangement:

A terminal or RS-232 computer port must be set up as follows: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 start bit,
1 stop bit.

Table 2: Power Input Pin Arrangement:

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Section III-D: Mounting Accessories to the SP-2300i Slit Assemblies

Note: In some instances with light sources, there is limited access to the bottom two screw

holes. In this case, Princeton Instruments provides special slotted holes in the light source
housing to facilitate mounting of the source to the slit.

All Acton accessories come with their own set of instructions for proper mounting and operation. The
instructions below are only general information. Please refer to the individual instructions for detailed
information.

Accessories: The full range of Acton monochromator/spectrograph accessories mount directly to the

SP-2300i slit assemblies. To assist you in mounting accessories, a drawing of the standard slit assemblies has
been provided in Appendix V-C. The general procedure for mounting an accessory to the slit is as follows:

1. Place the accessory directly against the face of the slit body. Light sources normally mount on the
entrance slit, detectors on the exit slit. Other accessories such as fiber bundles normally mount on the
entrance slit, but are also compatible with the exit slit.

2. Using four (4) 8-32 screws normally provided with the accessory, secure the accessory to the slit body.

Light sources fitted with light collection/focusing optics are normally factory aligned to the standard slit.

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Section III-E: Detector Mounting Instructions: Mounting Focal Plane Detectors to

Note: At this point it is very important to check the focal plane distance of the array

detector. This is the distance from the front mounting surface of the array detector to
the actual CCD or diode array element. Because array detector focal distances vary,
the correct distance is crucial in order to determine if a spacer is required for proper
focus. This spacer is provided with spectrographs. If the detector focal plane distance

falls between .67” and 1.00”, then no spacer is required.

Note: Refer to the Detector System Manual for specific instructions on how to mount the

array detector to the mounting flange. These instructions vary with the detector nose
design.

the SP-2300i Spectrograph

The standard mounting flange for CCDs and diode arrays accommodates detectors with two different bolt
circles. There are three (3) equally spaced #10-32 tapped holes on a 3.60” bolt circle, and three (3) equally
spaced holes on a 3.88” bolt circle designed to accept #10-32 button head screws. A baffle is mounted in the
array detector mounting flange to define the focal plane area. This baffle has two sets of mounting holes
90 degrees apart which permit the mounting to be rotated 90 degrees to accept different array detectors.

To mount an array detector to the SP-2300i, use the following procedure:

1. The array detector mounting flange has a sliding tube, which fits inside the front plate of the SP-2300i.

2. Using a 1/8” Allen wrench, loosen the two (2) set screws located at the top and side of the front plate.
Gently slide the array detector mounting flange all the way out of the SP-2300i housing. Make sure
that the sliding tube and O-ring are kept clean.

3. Remove the shipping cover from the sliding tube, and the spacer if not required.

4. Position the array detector mounting flange against the array detector, and match the hole patterns.
When correctly positioned, the baffle aperture orientation should match the detector array orientation.
If it does not align properly, contact Princeton Instruments.

5. Fasten the array detector mounting flange to the detector, and then carefully slide this assembly back
into the SP-2300i housing.

6. Tighten the #10-32 set screw on the top of the front plate first, and then tighten the one on the side.

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