StellarNet introduces a low cost line of research grade fluorescence systems designed for a wide range of applications requiring high sensitivity measurements of powders, liquids, and surfaces. StellarNet, inventor of the miniature fiber optic concave grating spectrometer, has configured systems specifically for low-light applications and, as always, StellarNet instrumentation is built modularized, compact, and rugged for field, process, or lab environments.
The BLACK-Comet miniature, concave grating spectrometer is the main component of the system and is preconfigured with high throughput optics, low noise circuit design, and an ultra-sensitive detector array with for extreme low-light level detection from 200-1100nm. These concave grating instruments have ultra low stray light and enhanced sensitivity due to their superior grating technology. As opposed to the industry standard Czerny Turner optical design used in most miniature spectrometers, which employ mirrors and a plane grating, the BLACK-Comet’s concave grating is the sole element in the optical grating design, thus reducing the amount of surfaces in the light path. Scattered light is thus drastically reduced to 0.02% at 435 nm and 0.2% at 200 nm. The BLACK-Comet grating has an f-number of f/2 which provides nearly 4-5 times the system light collecting ability compared to competing models with f-numbers of f/4 and f/5. Additionally, the aberration corrected grating provides broadband uniform resolution and excellent spectral shapes. An integrated thermo electric cooler (TEC) can be added to the detector array to maintain -10 °C from ambient and achieve a +/-0.1 °C temperature stabilization increasing the S/N ratio by 60% at long exposure times, thus dramatically enhancing the instruments dynamic range. These design optimizations make the BLACK-Comet-TEC concave grating spectrometer one of the premier miniature spectrometers for low light detection available.
StellarNet fluorescence systems are rugged and shock-proof with no moving parts and are suitable for field applications, factory and industrial conditions; even perfect for a standard laboratory benchtop!