Spectrometers
| Compass™ X
| Power Input | 5V DC < 3 Amps | |||
| Detector Type | Response Enhanced 2048 element linear silicon CCD array | |||
| Pixels | 2048 x 1 elements @ 14μm x 200μm per element | |||
| Spectrograph F# | 3.2 | |||
| Spectrograph Optical Layout | Crossed Czerny-Turner | |||
| Dynamic Range | 275 typical | |||
| Digitizer Resolution | 16-bit or 65,535:1 | |||
| Readout Speed | 500 kHz | |||
| Data Transfer Speed | Up to 180 spectra per second via USB 2.0 | |||
| Integration Time | 5 - >65,535ms | |||
| External Trigger | Aux Port | |||
| Operating Temperature | 15°C - 35°C | |||
| Operational Relative Humidity | 85% Noncondensing | |||
| TE Cooling | 14°C | |||
| Weight | 0.60 kg (1.32 lbs) | |||
| Dimensions | 127mm x 38.1mm x 91.4mm (5in x 1.5in x 3.6in) | |||
| Computer Interface | USB 2.0 | |||
| Operating Systems | Windows: XP, Vista (32-bit), 7 (32-bit) | |||
The groove frequency of the grating determines two key aspects of the spectrometer’s performance: the spectral resolution and the wavelength coverage. The higher the groove frequency the more resolution the instrument will achieve; however, the wavelength coverage will be less. Inversely, decreasing the groove frequency increases wavelength coverage at the sacrifice of spectral resolution. With over twenty-five gratings to choose from we can customize your application needs.
The blaze angle or blaze wavelength of the grating is also a key parameter in optimizing the spectrometer’s performance. The blaze angle determines the maximum efficiency the grating will have in a specific wavelength region. We have a variety of blaze angles available per groove frequency to match your application needs.
| Best Efficiency |
Spectral Coverage (nm) |
Resolution (nm) 25 μm Slit |
Ordering Code |
| UV / NIR | 200 - 800 | ~1.5 | AG05 |
| Vis / NIR | 350 - 1050 | ~1.2 | AG04 |
| Vis | 380 - 750 | ~2.0 | AG06 |
| NIR | 750 - 1050 | ~1.5 | AG08 |
| Custom Configurations Available | |||
The Compass™ features a cooled 2048 element linear silicon CCD array detector with a pixel format of 2048 x 1 elements @ 14μm per element with effective (Active) pixels > 2000. Each pixel represents a portion of the spectrum and as the incident light strikes the individual pixels across the CCD the electronics can then translate and display their intensity using our software, BWSpec™.
The quantum efficiency (QE), dynamic range (DR), and noise level of the array detector largely dictates the spectrometer sensitivity, dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio. The spectral acquisition speed of the spectrometer is mainly determined by the detector response over a wavelength region.
| Specifications | |
| Wavelength Range | 200nm - 1050nm |
| Pixels | 2048 |
| Pixel Size | 14μm x 200μm |
| Well Depth | ~90,000 e |
| Digitization Rate | 500 kHz |
Cooling an array detector with a built-in Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) is an effective way to reduce dark current and noise, as well as to enhance the dynamic range and detection limit. The graph below shows the dark current and noise for an uncooled vs. cooled CCD detector at an integration time of 30 seconds.
When operating at room temperature, the dark current nearly saturates the uncooled CCD. When the CCD is cooled down to 14°C by the TEC, the dark current is reduced by four times and the dark shot noise is reduced by two times. This allows the spectrometer to operate at long integration times and detect weak optical signals.
| Dark Current: Uncooled vs. Cooled (CCD Detectors at 30 Seconds) | |
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| Room Temperature | Cooled at 14°C |
Integrated with a unique low cost TE cooled CCD the Compass™ X spectrometer delivers low dark current and long term temperature stability. The combined cost effective temperature cooling and regulation together with the exceptional low dark noise as well as long term stability make this model a favorite choice by the OEM system integrators. The example demonstrated is such a system using the Compass™ X, a laser excitation source together with a sampling device for 0/180 degrees configuration fluorameter. The TE cooling made it possible for the weak fluorescence photons to be integrated for sufficient time to accumulate measurable signals for detection. It would not result in a good measurement S/N if a non-cooled spectrometer is used since the dark signal could amount to a level saturating the detector quantum well under such a long integration time setting.
The BDS100 is a turnkey fiber coupled UV/Vis/NIR light source providing spectral output from 200 to >1100nm. The 3 W UV lamp is electrode-less RF induced deuterium lamp providing the advantage of low heat generation and low power consumption. A 3 W tungsten halogen lamp shares the optical path with the deuterium lamp and provides Vis/NIR emission. The light source comes complete with a DC power supply. A safety shutter and individual On/Off controls for both the deuterium and tungsten lamps are provided. The BDS100 features an SMA 905 connector for fiber optic light coupling. With no fiber alignment needed and is ideal for spectroscopic applications.
The BPX100 is a compact 5 Watt Xenon flash lamp module complete with an internal power supply and trigger circuitry. Flash lamps are similar to all other arc lamps in that optical radiation is produced by passing an electrical current through a gas. Xenon is the most efficient gas for flash lamps and produces both continuous and line spectra. Current is supplied by a charged capacitor capable of discharging large amounts of energy in a short period of time. The low pulse-to-pulse variations and long operating life characteristics make these lamps ideal as excitation light sources for fluorescence spectroscopy and UV rich sources for reflectance and transmittance spectrophotometry. The BPX100 features an SMA 905 connector for fiber optic light coupling.
The BPS101 is a low-cost high-performance constant current light source which uses a replacable tungsten halogen bulb rated for 10,000 hours. This device uses a constant current setting which provides precision current control allowing for stable performance.
A remote control port is provided on the rear for versatile remote On / Off modulation, operating current monitoring, and external operating current control. Slow ramp start is built into the source to ensure stability and long-life operation. The BPS101 features an SMA 905 connector for fiber coupling. No fiber alignment is necessary and is ideal for visible and near IR spectroscopic applications.
The SCL100 series Spectral Calibration Sources come in 6 lamp models: Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Mercury (Hg), Mercury/Argon (Hg/Ar), Neon (Ne), and Xenon (Xe). These sources can be used for wavelength calibration of monochromators, spectrometers, and spectroradiometers. By exciting these various gases they will produce narrow intense lines of the corresponding element(s). This light source comes with a 12V DC power supply and features an SMA 905 connector for fiber optic light coupling with no need for fiber alignment.
ICL series Calibrated Lamp Standards are tungsten coiled coil filaments enclosed in quartz envelopes. Both 1000 W and 100 W lamps provide reliable spectral irradiance calibration from 350-1050nm, 350-700nm, and 350-2200nm. Lamps are seasoned and the calibration is traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) scale of spectral irradiance. The lamps are provided with their respective lamp holders for easy installation and adjustment.
The BPS120 is a low-cost high-performance constant current light source which uses a replacable tungsten halogen bulb rated for 5,000 hours. This device uses a constant current setting which provides precision current control allowing for stable performance to be achieved.
A remote control port is provided on the rear for versatile remote On / Off modulation, operating current monitoring, and external operating current control. Slow ramp start is built into the source to ensure stability and long-life operation. The BPS120 features an SMA 905 connector for fiber coupling. No fiber alignment is necessary and is ideal for visible and near IR spectroscopic applications.
BFH105 inline filter holders are designed for fiber coupling and ease of handling. It can hold up to three standard Ø 1in x 5mm filters (not included). The holder has two SMA 905 fiber connections and can be used with any CCD spectrometer and BPS101 tungsten light source.
BCH100A series cuvette sample holders are designed for fiber optic illumination/detection coupling and ease of sample handling. It holds a standard 12.5 x 12.5 mm cuvette for liquid or powder sample transmittance and absorbance with proper spectrometer and light source setup. The cuvette sample holder provides 2 or 3 (optional) SMA 905 fiber couplers and is ideal for use with B&W Tek’s BRC and BTC series array spectrometers together with BPS and BDS series fiber light sources. The standard configuration comes with two ports (straight through) with optional third port for right angle (with respect to the illuminations) detections for fluorescence applications.
BAC030 is a high throughput cross-flow liquid flow cell. Designed for NIR spectroscopy applications, UV and Visible versions are available upon request. This flow cell uses high quality optics for collimation and collection to optimize signal throughput. Easy to install and take apart for cleaning.
A fiber reflectance probe, such as the FRP series combines optical fibers at the sample end with the bundle bifurcated into two channels for connection to a light source and a spectrometer.
The FPC series of Fiber Patch Cords are fiber optic cables terminated with fiber optic connectors on both ends. These patch cords connect with ease to B&W Tek spectrometers, light sources and sampling accessories. The fiber cables are available in single strand UV or NIR grade fused silica optical fiber with various core diameters.
NIR Grade Fiber Patch Cords use a Low -OH content silica core for a spectral range of 380nm to 2400nm.
The CLA-SMA collimating lens converts divergent rays of light into parallel rays. The lens is fabricated from fused silica and can be used over a broad spectral range, UV/Vis/ NIR. The CLA-SMA attaches to an SMA 905 connector of a Fiber Patch Cord and Fiber Assemblies from B&W Tek. When used with a fiber cord attached to a light source, the CLA-SMA produces a parallel (collimated) beam of light. When the fiber cord is attached to a spectrometer, the CLA-SMA provides a narrow acceptance angle and narrow field-of-view.
BIS1.5 series products are compact fiber coupled integration spheres. The sphere is machined form of PTFE and is highly reflective (>95%) and lambertian over the broad spectral range of 250-2500nm.
BIP-2.0 is a compact, fiber-coupled integrating sphere device designed as a sampling accessory for measuring diffuse reflectance and transmittance using any fiber-optic spectrometer from B&W Tek. The two inch diameter integrating sphere is machined from PTFE which is both highly reflective (>95%) and Lambertian over a broad spectral range of 350 to >2600nm.
The BIP-2.0 includes a light source housing that contains a long-life 20W tungsten halogen lamp which emits over the UVVis- NIR spectrum. The housing includes a miniature fan and cooling fins that provide thermal stability of the light source. The BIP-2.0 operates from a 12V DC power adapter that is supplied with the device.
The BOS100 Optical Switch solution is the most compact optical switch for spectroscopy applications. Combined with BWS305, it can switch spectrometers which cover different bands.
The BWS305 Multiplexer solutions have proven to be the leading process spectroscopy technology for industrial plant monitoring and control. Up to 16 sample streams can be analyzed, monitored, and controlled with the speed of light to ensure real-time and in-process quality control 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our state-of-the-art multiplexer technology couples unmatched repeatability with minimized insertion loss to produce a system performance of outstanding quality while achieving signal-to-noise ratios which only full light transmission analyzers can perform.
The EBP series are portable, light weight and high capacity battery packs suitable for use with our spectrometers, lasers, and light source products. AC charger comes standard and an optional cigarette lighter adapter is available. Output voltage is selectable on the unit.
BWSpec™ features a wide range of tools designed to allow complex measurements and calculations to be completed at the click of a button. BWSpec™ allows the user to choose between multiple data formats and offers optimization of scanning parameters. In addition to powerful data acquisition and data processing, other features include automatic dark removal, spectrum smoothing, and manual/auto baseline correction. The software also contains an OCX interface for users to collect spectra in Thermo Scientific GRAMS/AI.
TE Cooled 16-bit USB Linear CCD Array
The Compass™ X series is a low cost, high performance, Thermoelectric Cooled (TEC) linear CCD array spectrometer solution. Equipped with 2048 elements, built-in 16-bit digitizer, and high-speed USB 2.0 interface, this TE Cooled spectrometer will continuously deliver optimized high throughput results.
Compared to non-cooled CCD spectrometers, the Compass™ X offers higher dynamic range, significantly reduced dark counts, and superior long-term operation stability, making it ideal for low light level detection and long-term monitoring applications.
Wavelength configurations are available from as low as 200nm to as high as 1050nm with resolutions between 0.6nm and 2.0nm with standard configurations. Flexible custom configurations and application support are available for OEM applications.
