Spectrometer 800nm ~ 1278nm at 5nm precision (or better)

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for a spectrometer (with fiber preferred) that has a range of at least 800nm to 1278nm at 5nm precision minimum (or better).
Having it go more into the visible range as well would be nice as well but not absolutely mandatory.. do not care about blue or UV.
No preference for an usb interface or standalone device

I did some looking before and even a call to ocean optics (In which I still am awaiting reply of ) but was told on the phone that I would be in between VIS - nir to an IR spectrometer.
The vis-nir of the 2000 is max 1000nm with potentially 20% deviation/extended range (gamble) and while the IR spectrometer of theirs went from 900nm to longer wavelengths reaching far into the IR (so not good for say 808nm)

My budget is about $1000 (used and not recently calibrated is fine)

Pointers or offers are very apreciated!

Good luck... you might be able to find an extended range OSA that covers that range but not for $1000. New cost is $50k and up, used would be more like $5k. Something like a Advantest Q838x might be had for that sort of budget in as-is condition if you are willing to try and repair it.

If you can find a bit more in your budget I have a Advantest Q8381 that is in good working condition but a bit rough mechanical condition (missing power button, scuffs, etc) that I could sell for $2500 after the friends and family discount.

It will be hard to find a linear detector based instrument like from ocean optics because silicon can't measure beyond 1000nm and most ingaas cant go much below 900nm. Only realistic option would be 2 spectrometers (like usb2000 + nirquest) or a scanning grating instrument like an OSA or monochromator with a switchable detector to cover the extended wavelength range.

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Originally Posted by krazer

Good luck... you might be able to find an extended range OSA that covers that range but not for $1000. New cost is $50k and up, used would be more like $5k. Something like a Advantest Q838x might be had for that sort of budget in as-is condition if you are willing to try and repair it.

If you can find a bit more in your budget I have a Advantest Q8381 that is in good working condition but a bit rough mechanical condition (missing power button, scuffs, etc) that I could sell for $2500 after the friends and family discount.

It will be hard to find a linear detector based instrument like from ocean optics because silicon can't measure beyond 1000nm and most ingaas cant go much below 900nm. Only realistic option would be 2 spectrometers (like usb2000 + nirquest) or a scanning grating instrument like an OSA or monochromator with a switchable detector to cover the extended wavelength range.

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2500 is way way out of my budget. I could probably stretch the budget to like 1200 USD.
I feared the 2 spectrometer situation too. Would love more info about the nirquest and will delve into an OSA. I found a "decent priced" usb2000 but the fiber misses which also costs a lot..

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Originally Posted by masterpj

2500 is way way out of my budget. I could probably stretch the budget to like 1200 USD.
I feared the 2 spectrometer situation too. Would love more info about the nirquest and will delve into an OSA. I found a "decent priced" usb2000 but the fiber misses which also costs a lot..

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The difficulty is that silicon detectors tend to get quite noisy above 1000nm, so IR spectrometers are usually InGaAs types. The detector will normally have to be TEC cooled as well. The NIR Quest costs around $20k depending upon options. They do sell a lower cost ‘Flame’ that may suit, but I recall is still about $8k. Maybe there is something on eBay that will do the trick. It’s quite a challenge to do it for $1000. If you are using a fibre, you’ll need a decent NIR one as well, because normal fibres have really nasty absorption bands that literally blocks out a bunch of wavelengths. If you have a quartz lamp you could do a crude calibration yourself, (which will be needed once you combine the instrument - fibre - collection optics).

Good luck!

James

My emergency solution was a G330 Galvo, a 600 lpm gold plated grating, and a photodiode. Crude, but it works well with modestly bright sources and a cheap digital storage scope.
Calibration is with an IR hene and neon lamps.

Steve

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Originally Posted by JStewart

The difficulty is that silicon detectors tend to get quite noisy above 1000nm, so IR spectrometers are usually InGaAs types. The detector will normally have to be TEC cooled as well. The NIR Quest costs around $20k depending upon options. They do sell a lower cost ‘Flame’ that may suit, but I recall is still about $8k. Maybe there is something on eBay that will do the trick. It’s quite a challenge to do it for $1000. If you are using a fibre, you’ll need a decent NIR one as well, because normal fibres have really nasty absorption bands that literally blocks out a bunch of wavelengths. If you have a quartz lamp you could do a crude calibration yourself, (which will be needed once you combine the instrument - fibre - collection optics).

Good luck!

James

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That makes sense
I will work on saving up.. slow times right now but with some commissions I might be able to get to the 2.5k budget.

I actually want to keep a lookout for a InGaAs IR spectrometer for the time being knowing the 2 spectrometer approach might be the best one... I'm holding off on any vis-nir spectrometers offered on ebay as they seemed much easier to come by. I have yet to find any used IR spectrometers pop up on ebay other then their fibers.

Any pointers for brands I should keep my eyes out for other then ocean optics?

@ Steve I have 2 digital scopes but neither of these sources other then a regular red hene in my laserscope
I still prefer an actual spectrometer even if that means saving because it will be a better tool in the long run I think.

Got an OSA for under 1k.. working and calibrated!
Thanks for the info! It was a hunt but it was worth the time!. It's in shipment currently.

Awesome - care to share some details? Sounds like a great deal

Excellent stuff.

you should be able to do a crude calibration for absolute irradiance using a quartz lamp and a radiometer.

if you need something more accurate when the fibre and input optics are installed, it’s something that the manufacturer should still be able to offer. If not, I’ve got NIST/PTB traceable calibration sources we maintain in our lab precisely for this thing, and may be able to help you out.

Well done on finding the instrument.

james

I think there are lines in neon. Also 808/1064 of course. I can see 1064 with my ocean optics hr spec but not much farther.
I tried moving the grating on a bw unit but it would not calibrate. You might find some leds in the range but you can’t verify the wavelengths. I had the same quest but it got too expensive.

Strong Lines of Neon ( Ne ) (nist.gov)

Scroll down to "Air" wavelengths.

Steve

damn was so so close.
Something went wrong during the sale. I hadn't somehow placed item in my cart (which is a buyers commitement somehow?) because of the inaccurate shipping estimate. worked out shipment that same day with the seller aall well then moments before commiting to the buy it was taken down because it was sold (and actually bought).

It wasn't after I posted here but I assumed it was in error and seller said I had a commit to buy (mistaken that it wasn't me having it in cart).

So sadly lost a great deal on an OSA.. going to have to keep looking it seems :(

So far best price for an OSA i can get is about 1500 USD ex shipment so not all too great its on the edge of what I would want to spend (having to include taxes afterward too).

Bummer! Hopefully you figure something out

I've got one ocean optics Amadeus spectrometer with a calibrated lightsource.
Let's talk.

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Originally Posted by Vidal Wolf

I've got one ocean optics Amadeus spectrometer with a calibrated lightsource.
Let's talk.

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Gladly! Will send a PM right now.
Even if it cannot reach down to the 1278nm perhaps it would still be an usefull purchase because it can be used as a future calibration reference for an OSA! :)

Got a working an calibrated OSA underway!
It's shown to be working and is delicately shipped as i am aware that OSAs have fragile parts that can easily damage in shipment.

600nm to 1600nm at 0.1nm resolution

In the end paid about 620 euros delivered.. So that's well within my budget!
The budget means i even have some left to eventually get an usb spectrometer for the visible wavelengths would I ever want to (not currently).

https://youtu.be/jwPpuO8_xmQ
OSA is working. It was calibrated before being shipped out and working.
Paid 620 euros including shipping from italy! Was very carefully packed and is a EU model that works on 240!

Got it by asking on EEVblog.
even the top printer works.

Brand is Anritsu (so made in japan!)

I'm suddenly envious. Nice piece of gear.

Steve

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Originally Posted by mixedgas

I'm suddenly envious. Nice piece of gear.

Steve

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There is one on ebay as well for 1500 USD ex 200 usd shipping being sold right now. (also working and calibrated)
Want a link steve?
Also recently got my synrad laser power wizard in for short measurements within an optical arrangement without needing to bounce a beam to get constant readings from an ophir head.
(working and calibrated still)
Attachment 57569Attachment 57570

Everything you ever wanted to know about the PM:

US5409314A - Pocket size laser power meter - Google Patents

No on the link, I'm not there yet on the DPSS IR to yellow laser project.

Steve

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Originally Posted by masterpj

There is one on ebay as well for 1500 USD ex 200 usd shipping being sold right now. (also working and calibrated)
Want a link steve?
Also recently got my synrad laser power wizard in for short measurements within an optical arrangement without needing to bounce a beam to get constant readings from an ophir head.
(working and calibrated still)
Attachment 57569Attachment 57570

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I have one of those Synrad testers, nice little unit for a quick power check. How much did you pay?

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Originally Posted by carlos3621

I have one of those Synrad testers, nice little unit for a quick power check. How much did you pay?

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I believe about 350 *USD

Awesome!, yeah I think I paid $200 for mine a few years back 👍