Ocean Optics has added triggering functions to its Maya2000 Pro back-thinned CCD miniature spectrometer to provide accurate timing and synchronisation between the spectrometer and other devices.
Triggering provides precise timing between devices. The Maya2000 Pro can be triggered so that sending the spectrometer a pulse causes it to do something such as turn off or on a light, activate a pulse in a pulsed light source or start or end spectral acquisition in the spectrometer. For example, in the External Triggering mode, an event outside the sampling system (such as a button push, lever activation or laser) electronically pulses the spectrometer’s trigger pin and starts acquisition of the spectra with microsecond accuracy.
With the triggering functions three low-jitter trigger and normal operating modes are now possible. Applications include pulsing a light source to occur when acquiring a spectra and synchronising spectral acquisition to coordinate with samples moving through a process stream or sensors reaching a certain temperature level.
In addition to triggering, Ocean Optics has enhanced Maya2000 Pro performance with support for RS-232 communications and improved optoelectronics that increase dynamic range (to 15,000:1), lower trigger jitter (to 100ns) and decrease dark noise (to 6 RMS counts).