B&W-tech Spectrometer & 473 module: Setup+Mods+Info

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

paul1598419 said:

For example, when I bring up the Ocean Optics software it is blank. The first thing you do when you connect the spectrometer is select "scan my device". The the spectrometer comes up and the grating, slit and bandwidth are displayed and you then select the type of spectrum you want to take. If it is transmittance, the wavelength range is then displayed on the X axis. Choose a different spectrometer and you get all different results. That is how OEM software works.

Once you shift the grating I think you will find the alignment of the focusing mirror will be much more involved than you think it is. You will have to go back and forth between the grating and the focusing mirror to get the astigmatism corrected and a good focus on the CCD.

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I can make the Calibration data Automatic by reading the serial number from the Spectrometer. But that's all I can do because that's the only information we have available for it.

I will have two spectrometers. I don't mind stuffing one up learning how to align it.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

Can you make it where the serial number is scanned and it is automatically changed to a different spectrum? That should be on the EEPROM and if you can see it there, maybe it could be scanned.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

paul1598419 said:

Can you make it where the serial number is scanned and it is automatically changed to a different spectrum? That should be on the EEPROM and if you can see it there, maybe it could be scanned.

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Yes. Once it reads the serial number and finds the calibration data stored in the software for that serial number the spectrum will be scaled based on the calibration data.

Calibration data is based on Pixel numbers. Spectrum is then calculated from the pixel number using the calibration data.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

That could work well enough if I could get it to store four different calibrations and spectra.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

paul1598419 said:

That could work well enough if I could get it to store four different calibrations and spectra.

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NP. I can get it to store as many as you want. No limit placed on it. Store the calibration data with the filename being the serial number.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

I look forward to that. :thanks:

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

Early start and Early finish at work today.

I have done some more work on my software. It's starting to come together now.

Startup comms seems to be reliable now. It has started up every time without fail.


Added features.
---------------
Wavelength scale added to main graph if calibration data is found. Now I can see how inaccurate 3rd order polynomial calibration is with wavelengths higher or lower than the max and min calibration points. It's pretty bad actually. For best calibration you need calibration points close to the Max and Min of the bandwidth.

Automatic detection of Spectrometer Serial Number. This will allow Unique Calibration data for each Spectrometer you have. It's all done automatically for you. The first time you use a new Spectrometer is will load the default Calibration values if they are found. When you exit the software it will save the current Calibration values in a file whos name is the serial number of the unit. When you first use a new spectrometer. Connect so it finds the serial number. Adjust the calibration values. Exit the program and rerun it. It will now show its using the Unique Calibration data.


Bug Fixes.
---------
The graph was dissappearing if focus was taken away from the main screen. This is fixed. (Thanks Diachi for letting me know).

Position of Scale numbers on zoom windows fixed.


Download Latest exe File

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

I told you that the calibration isn't accurate for extrapolated lines outside the high and low lines you use. It does pretty well for interpolated lines if you have enough in your calibration. Is there anything I need to know to add these new features to the existing software? Will add it later today. :thanks:

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

paul1598419 said:

I told you that the calibration isn't accurate for extrapolated lines outside the high and low lines you use. It does pretty well for interpolated lines if you have enough in your calibration. Is there anything I need to know to add these new features to the existing software? Will add it later today. :thanks:

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Yep. You told me but I wasn't expecting it to be this bad. I plotted a graph of the calibration curve. It's horrid at the ends.

Don't think you need to know anything else about the update.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

Cool. Just downloaded the last of it. Can't wait to see how it works. Try to get some lines at the margins of the spectrum. Neon should get you to the reds. I believe 473nm is very close to pixel #1. If not, look for a line as close to it as you can get. For lines below these Xenon and argon discharge would do it, but not many will have that. Might be able to get several from fluorescent lighting. I'll have to look around to see if there are any other common sources.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

paul1598419 said:

Cool. Just downloaded the last of it. Can't wait to see how it works. Try to get some lines at the margins of the spectrum. Neon should get you to the reds. I believe 473nm is very close to pixel #1. If not, look for a line as close to it as you can get. For lines below these Xenon and argon discharge would do it, but not many will have that. Might be able to get several from fluorescent lighting. I'll have to look around to see if there are any other common sources.

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473nm was somewhere around pixel 250-350 on mine IIRC.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

If that's the case, 450nm ought to be pretty close to # 1.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

paul1598419 said:

If that's the case, 450nm ought to be pretty close to # 1.

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Yup, I don't have anything >450nm but <473nm to test with. I can confirm that my unit will not detect ~445nm though.

Need to get myself a multi-line Argon or 457nm DPSS... Love that colour.

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

Get two and send me one. :yh:

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

paul1598419 said:

Get two and send me one. :yh:

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Let's just figure out Kaiser's address and plan a heist! :shhh: :crackup: I call dibs on the Ar/Kr!

Re: B&Wtech 473nm unit / Spectrometer Mods & Info

I lived in that area for 8 years. It would be a piece of cake. I call the 577 OPSL and the 532 OPSL. :crackup: