ACTON SpectraPro-300i User manual

Operating Instructions

Acton Research Corporation

SpectraPro-300i

0.300 Meter Focal Length Triple Grating

Imaging Monochromator / Spectrograph

SP-300i Manual Rev. 997.1

530 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720

Phone: (978)263-3584, Fax: (978)263-5086

Web Site: www.acton-research.com

Acton Research Corporation

SpectraPro-300i Operating Instructions

CONTENTS: Page

I. Brief Introduction and SpectraPro-300i Description 2

II. Specifications 3

III. SpectraPro-300i Setup

A. Unpacking Note 4

B. Connecting the SpectraPro-300i to the Optional 300-749 4

Remote Scan Controller, or to a Computer

C. Cables and Connections for SpectraPro-300i 5

D. Mounting Accessories 6

E. Mounting Focal Plane Detectors 6 - 7

F. Slit Width Adjustment for 716 Bilateral Slits and 715 Fixed

Slit Assemblies 8 - 9

IV. SpectraPro-300i Operation

A. Initialization 10

B. Operating the SpectraPro-300i Using the Model 300-749

Remote Scan Controller 10 - 14

C. Operating the SpectraPro-300i Using a Computer 15 - 19

D. Focusing and Aligning CCD Array Detectors 19

E. Changing from Monochromator to Spectrograph Operation 20

V. Appendices and Schematic Drawings

A. Alternate Start-Up Parameters 21

B. Cable Connection Diagrams 22

C. Standard Slit Assembly Drawing 23

D. Accessories List and Ordering Information 24 - 29

E. Certification and Warranty Information 30

F. Drawing No. 8430-000-30 entitled “SpectraPro-300i” 31

Thank you for your purchase of the ARC SpectraPro-300i monochromator/spectrograph, and for

selecting Acton Research Corporation as your provider of precision spectroscopic equipment. ARC strives

to manufacture equipment of the highest quality, and to design our monochromators and spectrographs for

easy installation and operation. If you have any questions during set up or use of ARC equipment, please do

not hesitate to contact our experience technical staff.

I: Brief Introduction and SpectraPro-300i Description

Brief Introduction:

This instruction manual is intended to assist you in set-up and operation of your new SpectraPro-300i

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 ARC customer

service department.

SpectraPro-300i Description:

The SpectraPro-300i is a 300mm focal length monochromator/spectrograph.

Key Features:

•An astigmatism-corrected optical system with multichannel imaging capabilities.

•Integrated microstepped stepping motor with controller, controlled by a powerful 32-bit

microprocessor.

•Built-in RS232 and IEEE488 computer interfaces for control of the SpectraPro-300i

•A triple grating turret which accepts 1, 2, or 3 gratings, selectable by computer control or

by use of the Model 300-749 remote scan controller.

•Direct digital scan drive system, consisting of a worm/worm gear which rotates the grating turret.

It is an extremely rugged drive, permitting the gratings to be mounted at the ARC factory and

shipped installed in the SpectraPro-300i.

•Bilaterally adjustable slits, with micrometer controlled slit width settings from 10µm to 3mm.

Aperture plates are provided for 4mm and 14mm slit heights.

• 14mm high by 27mm wide focal plane for CCDs and other array detectors.

• A focal plane which extends 1.0” (25mm) outside the instrument housing, designed to accept CCDs

with shutters installed.

•Unique 3-point focus stop and fine focus adjustment for CCDs.

• 0.1nm resolution with a 1200g/mm grating.

• Dual exit port option, including either dual exit slits, or the combination of an exit slit with a

CCD port. Both dual exit port versions include a motorized beam diverter mirror for rapid exit port

selection.

II: SpectraPro-300i Specifications

NOTE: Each SpectraPro-300i is operated for at least 15 minutes prior

to calibration to insure optimum stability. End users should

follow this practice if their application calls for optimum

stability & reproducibility.

Specifications (1200g/mm Grating)

Focal length: 300mm

Aperture Ratio: f/4

Optical Design: Imaging Czerny-Turner

with original polished aspheric mirrors

provide imaging capabilities

Optical Paths: 90° standard, 180° and

multi-port optional

Scan Range: 0 to 1400nm

mechanical range

Operating Range: 185nm to the far

infrared with available gratings and

accessories

Resolution: 0.1nm at 435.8nm

Dispersion: 2.7nm/mm

Accuracy: ±0.2nm

Repeatability: ±0.05nm

Drive Step Size: 0.0025nm (nom.)

Focal Plane Size: 27mm wide x 14mm

high

Focal Plane Position: 1.0” (25mm)

beyond the CCD mounting flange when it

is positioned against the instrument

housing.

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 (~137nm: 600g/mm

grating)

Standard Slits: Micrometer adjustable

from 10µm to 3mm wide. Slit heights: 4

& 14mm

Grating Mount: Triple Indexable grating

turret for 1, 2, or 3

gratings.

Interchangeable Grating Turrets:

Optional

Grating Change Time: Less than 20

seconds

Grating Drive System: 32-bit

microprocessor controlled direct

digital scanning (DDS) system.

Scan Linearity: The SpectraPro-300i

scans linear with respect to wavelength

Size: 13.25” long (337mm)

10” wide (254mm)

8” high (203mm)

4.875” (123.8mm) optical axis

height

Weight: 35lbs. (15.9kg)

Tested and conforms to European CE

Standards

Every SpectraPro-300i monochromator or spectrograph

includes a triple grating turret for 1, 2, or 3 gratings,

an imaging optical system, 32-bit microprocessor

controlled scanning, built-in RS232 and IEEE488

interfaces, and micrometer controlled entrance slit

(optional second entrance slit available).

The standard monochromator includes a

90° optical path, and includes micrometer

adjustable entrance and exit slits.

Standard spectrograph includes a 90°

optical path, large 14mm X 27mm focal

plane, plus sliding tube CCD adapter with

exclusive focus-stop.

Monochromator with dual exit slits, and

motorized mirror for rapid, computer

controlled exit slit selection.

SP-305 Monochromator SP-306 Spectrograph

SP-307

Dual Exit Port Monochromator

Triple Grating

Turret

Exit

Slit

Entrance

Slit

Triple Grating

Turret

CCD

Port

Entrance

Slit

Triple Grating

Turret

Two

Exit

Slits

Entrance

Slit

Motorized

Mirror

Monochromator/Spectrograph with dual

exit ports (1=monochromator,

1=spectrograph) and motorized mirror for

rapid, computer controlled exit port

selection.

SP-308

Monochromator/Spectrograph

Triple Grating

Turret

Exit

Slit Entrance

Slit

CCD

Port

Motorized

Mirror

III. SpectraPro-300i Setup

Section III-A: Unpacking and Inspection

Carefully unpack and examine the SpectraPro-300i and any accessories purchased.

Section III-B: Connecting the SpectraPro-300i Monochromator/Spectrograph to the

Optional Model 300-749 Remote Scan Controller or Computer

The SpectraPro-300i is designed for operation by computer using RS232 or IEEE488, or by using the

optional Model 300-749 Remote Scan Controller. Either method of control enables wavelength scanning

at a pre-set linear scan rate, change of scanning speeds, grating selection, rapid GOTO wavelength

positioning, change of grating turrets if available, and “jog” wavelength positioning. Figure 1 below shows

the cable connections necessary for operation from a computer through the COM ports or with a GPIB

controller card. Figure 2 below shows the cable connections necessary for operation of the SpectraPro-300i

with the optional Model 300-749 remote scan controller. Refer to the SpectraPro Monochromator Control

Software for Windows for operation with a computer. Refer to Section IV-B for details on operation with the

Model 300-749 remote scan controller.

SpectraPro-300i Cable Connections:

Optional 300-749 Remote Scan Controller, RS232, or IEEE488

Note: Report any damage immediately to the carrier and to

Acton Research Corporation, and save all packing material.

POWER RS232 GPIB

POWER

SUPPLY

GPIB Controller COM Port*

RS232 GPIB

POWER

SUPPLY

FIGURE 1

Control from Computer

FIGURE 2

Control from Optional

300-749 Remote Scan

Controller

*COM 1

COM 2

SpectraPro-300i Computer

SpectraPro-300i

300-749

POWER

Section III-C: Cables and Connections for SpectraPro-300i

ARC offers the following computer cables as options:

CC-499-1 IBM PC or XT compatible

25 pin female ( DB25S) connector to 9 pin male connector ( DB9P).

CC-499-2 IBM AT or compatible

9 pin female ( DB9S) connector to 9 pin male connector ( DB9P).

CC-499-3 Computer terminal type

25 pin male ( DB25S) connector to 9 pin male connector ( DB9P).

CC-499-4 9-pin cable for Macintosh computer

CC-499-5 IEEE488 cable, 4 meters long

The cable CC-499-2 is included with the SpectraPro-300i. The other cables are optional. If none of these

cables are compatible with your system, consult ARC for a custom cable. If you have facilities for

constructing a custom cable, use the RS232 pin arrangement shown in Table 1, or the IEEE488 pin

arrangement shown in Table 2. See also Appendix B.

Table 1: RS232 Computer Interface Pin Arrangement:

pin # description

1 open

2RD data from SP-300i to computer

3 TD data from computer to SP-300i

4open

5 ground

6 open

7 RTS connect these two pins together

8CTS

9 open

A terminal or RS232 computer port must be set up as follows: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 start bit,

1 stop bit.

Table 2: IEEE488 Computer Interface

Pin Arrangement:

Table 3: Power Input Pin Arrangement:

PIN# DESCRIPTION

1 +5V

2 GND

3 GND

4 +24V

Section III-D: Mounting Accessories to the SpectraPro-300i Slit Assemblies

All ARC 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 ARC SpectraPro accessories mount directly to the SpectraPro-300i slit

assemblies. A drawing of the standard slit assembly can be found in the Appendices Section to assist you in

mounting of accessories. To mount an accessory to the slit, the general procedure 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.

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

the SpectraPro-300i 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 SpectraPro-300i, use the following procedure:

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

SpectraPro-300i.

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

bottom two screw holes. In this case ARC provides special slotted

holes in the light source housing to facilitate mounting of the source

to the slit.

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.

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

SpectraPro-300i 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 ARC.

5. Fasten the array detector mounting flange to the detector, then carefully slide this assembly

back into the SpectraPro-300i housing.

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

the side.

Note: Damage May Be Done If Slit Jaws Are Opened Wider Than 3.0mm.

Slit Width Setting:

1380 Micrometers (1.38mm)

Slit Width Setting: 200 Micrometers (0.200mm)

Section III-F: Slit Width Adjustments in the Model 716 Bilateral Slits

The slit width of each bilateral slit assembly (716 type) is adjustable from 0.010 millimeters to 3

millimeters (10µm to 3,000µm) by a micrometer located on the top of the slit housing. The micrometer

knob is graduated in 0.010 millimeter (10µm) increments.

Each clockwise revolution of the micrometer knob increases the slit width 0.25 millimeters (250µm). For

maximum reproducibility, the slit width should be set in a clockwise direction (increasing slit widths)

each time it is changed. Refer to the drawing below.

The micrometer knob should not be rotated below a reading of 0.00 or above 3.00. A micrometer setting

of less than 0.010 millimeters (10µm) should not be used, because a stop is provided to prevent the slit

jaws from contacting each other.

Section III-F Continued: Interchanging Fixed Width Slit Plates in the

Model 715 Fixed Slit Assemblies:

If your SpectraPro-300i was purchased with the Model 715

type fixed slit assemblies, the following procedure should be

used in order to change slit widths. First, at least one

additional fixed slit plate, Model 715-4-XX or 715-14-XX,

must be available to permit changing widths in the 715 type

slit assemblies.

Changing Fixed Slit Plates in the 300-715-1

and 300-715-2 Assemblies:

1. Remove any accessories from the slit body.

2. Using an allen wrench, loosen the two slit plate screws

which hold the slit plate to the slit body. Remove the

slit plate without contacting the slit blades. Store the

removed slit plate in a clean, dry area.

3. Place the new slit plate in the slit body and secure

it in position using the slit plate screws. The cone

shaped holes in the slit plate are designed to align

the slits to the optical system.

4. The slit width has now been changed.

Fixed Width Slit Plate

Note Orientation for Correct Installation

Note: Align the new slit plate to the SpectraPro-300i optical axis by

orienting it so that the slit width label is upright and readable.

When correctly mounted, the slits are off-centered height-wise,

slightly above the center of the slit body. See the slit assembly

drawing in the appendices section for details, or pictures on this

page for reference.

Standard Model 715 Fixed Slit

Assembly NOTE: Optical Axis

Position

1.875”

2.250”

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