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

[paul1598419]

You don't have to convince me. I love Ocean Optics spectrometers and their software. I hope to eventually find a good deal on an HR4000. It has an additional 1000 pixels in the CCD.

 

[danielwood]

I finally have the data to demonstrate the potential issue of removing the filter without alignment. There will be aberration and defcous. I used a PenRay (Kr, Ar, HgNe, etc) lamp to check the spectral line shape and resolutions. Here is one example comparing the before and after removing the long-pass filter inside the spectrometer.

For the best resolutions, you may want to fine tune the alignment or use compensation optics after removing the LPF. Hope this is helpful for serious applications or can be a good student project in education.

 

[danielwood]

In the pictures,
U16Base is the spectrum from a Kr lamp without touching any optics.
U16-LPF is after removing the LPF.

U05TC is another unit after removing LPF but ended up fairly good in resolution.

 

[kecked]

nice work. So you mean the spectrum compresses when you remove the optic. It looked flat but must be a cylinder lens of some kind. I could not for the life of me align two of the units but one other had no issues at all. Seemed some parts of the spectrum were fine and others not. That could be why.

 

[paul1598419]

I somehow lost my email link to this thread. I need someone to post here so I can get it back. :thanks:

 

[kecked]

Shine on you crazy diamond.....

 

[paul1598419]

Thanks. That gives me a quick link back to this thread.

 

[chloderic]

Hello everybody,

of my 6 units are some unusable defective, so I decided to put the various components together again.
Of course, I have to readjust the complete optic and would like to make this easier with a mechanical modification.
For this I have completely disassembled useful components and started to edit them with my new micro milling machine.
The aim here is to make the various adjustment options accessible from the outside, so that during operation the effects can be visualized.
I'm not concerned with a permanent adjustment, but more to show what happens when you adjust something, so as I said for visualization.
Because the optical bench offers very little space for additional mechanical components, I also have to make extensions.

The respective progress of the mods I will post here.

First of all in the installation dismantled components and the first processing from the housing / case.

 

[paul1598419]

Looks very interesting, chloderic. I will be watching as I still have a couple I haven't gotten to yet and want to see how each adjustment affects the overall results of the spectrometer.

 

[jnrpop]

Great work chloderic!

Very happy to see that this thread is still alive.
Not to many posts would indicate some people might have moved on from these projects.
I´m still very happy with my unit, still can´t beleive how accurate we got it. Not to forget, i´ll mention again how thankful i am with your help with the calibration process, thanks chloderic :beer:

Heres my setup complete:

:beer:

 

[chloderic]

Great work chloderic!

Very happy to see that this thread is still alive.
Not to many posts would indicate some people might have moved on from these projects.
I´m still very happy with my unit, still can´t beleive how accurate we got it. Not to forget, i´ll mention again how thankful i am with your help with the calibration process, thanks chloderic :beer:

Hello jnrpop,
nice to read from you here and thanks for the nice words. If we exchange a little experience here and are able to calibrate a bit exactly, you can send me the part again. I also have some ideas and progress on this, but first comes the last posted project .... and that is still a lot of work.
Let us go on with this thread here ...... !

 

[paul1598419]

It seems like I've seen that extra line in your 532nm laser, Corey. It seems I remember it because it is so small compared to the main line. If you have an ESD bag large enough to fit over your working spectrometer it could serve two purposes as it would also keep dust off the unit as well.

 

[chloderic]

Hello,

in the next step I have now made a clamp holder for the Focus mirror and a housing attachment.
With the joint heads, tension spindles and threaded rods, this mirror can be adjusted in two dimensions.
The existing on the original mirror holder tip-tilt adjustments remain still accessible from the outside.
Since the tensioning spindle requires some space, this housing attachment is needed.
The whole thing is a bit difficult to make because a lot of space is not available in the original housing
and the other components must indeed also be placed.
In order to minimize reflections, I deliberately did not settle the individual parts and also painted them instead of spraying.
It does not look so pretty, but it's about the function.
It took a little time to find this solution .... Let's see how the rest of the plan works.

 

[paul1598419]

Wow. It looks like you have changed a lot in trying to get all the adjustments outside the optical bench. Good luck with this latest endeavor.

 

[kecked]

Light leaks will kill you. Make sure it’s really well sealed.

 

[chloderic]

Now, as a test, i have mounted the extension,
now the focus mirror can be adjusted forwards, backwards and rotations via the outward-directed screws.
The whole thing has to be provided with a lid sealing and mechanically aligned a bit more accurate.
Then in the next step, the adjustment for the round collominator mirror comes in line.
Here is even less space to install, but there are only a few mm adjustment necessary,
but then also forward, backward and rotating, posting is coming soon. ...