P130/MLE/400 - Cairn Optoscan Monochromator
Scanning Monochromator with Partially Automated Bandwidth Control
The Cairn Optoscan monochromator is a high speed, high resolution wavelength changer, incorporating nanometer precision of both centre wavelength and bandwidth settings. Wavelength and bandwidth changes are achieved in milliseconds, with fast galvanometers driving both the grating and exit slit positions to give dynamic control of optical throughput. The input slit is controlled using a manual micrometer, giving a precise bandwidth preset on the input slit. Bandwidth changes are achieved on the same timescale as grating shifts and the slits can also be closed completely to provide a fast shuttering facility.
The light output from the monochromator is interdependent with its spectral resolution, thus providing a method for setting the slit separation allows control of both bandwidth and intensity. This is a complex topic and interested readers are refered to our monochromator efficiency pages for a detailed discussion. The Optoscan is the fastest diffraction-grating monochromator that we know of, so please contact us for more detailed information if this particular aspect of the system performance is important to you.
The monochromator unit is a compact design, utilising an external light source, which keeps the operating temperature lower than would be possible with an internal source. It is optimised for use with a light source of f/2 aperture, such as the Cairn Optosource. The optical configuration is basically a standard (Czerny-Turner) design, but using aspheric mirrors in order to prevent the fast aperture from introducing significant aberrations. We use a custom-designed lightweight diffraction grating mounted on a high-performance scanner head with our own drive electronics for improved performance. This allows wavelength shifts of up to 200nm to be completed within 2msec, with even shorter times for smaller shifts.
Technical Information :
140mm x 150mm x 200mm 300 - 800 nm 1.0 ms 1.5 ms 0 - 30 nm n/a 1.3 ms (centre wavelength 380nm) 400nm Manual Micrometer Automatic PC interface card or Optoscan control rack. Optoscan part numbers :
P130/ELE/400 : Fully automated Optoscan monochromator with automated bandwidth control. Features rapid galvo grating and galvo control of both input and exit slits. P130/MLE/400 : Optoscan monochromator with partially automated bandwidth control. Features rapid galvo grating with manual input slit control, automated exit slit control. P130/FLE/400 : Optoscan monochromator with partially automated automated bandwidth control. Features rapid galvo grating, fixed input slit and automated exit slit control. P130/MLM/400 : Optoscan monochromator with manual bandwidth control. Features rapid galvo grating and manual control of both input and exit slits P130/FLM/400 : Optoscan monochromator with partial bandwidth control. Features rapid galvo grating, fixed input slit and manual exit slit control
