Detector-Only Version Added to Low Cost Spectral Sensing Line for High Volume OEM Use

Ocean Optics has expanded its Spark spectral sensor range with the addition of the Spark-DET-VIS. The most versatile of the Spark line of spectral sensors, the tiny sensor-only version weighs less than 1g, making it the smallest spectral device on the market. While optical technology advances have shrunk instrument size, the Spark-DET-VIS still delivers full spectral measurements over the visible wavelength range of 380-700 nm.

The low-cost Spark-DET-VIS measures simple absorbance, fluorescence and emissive colour. Its ultra-compact size is ideal for high volume integration into the custom electronics of a wide range of portable and Internet-enabled sensing devices for environmental, food, agriculture, biomedical and quality control applications. The Spark-DET-VIS requires custom electronics and complete integration, with expert support from Ocean Optics’ OEM engineering team. A USB version is available for initial application development.

The Spark-DET-VIS is the first Ocean Optics spectral device to replace traditional diffraction gratings with a solid-state optical encoder. The resulting unit size and cost are comparable to that of a less robust RGB filter diode detector, but with the ability to take full spectral measurements.

Spark has remarkable performance for a spectral sensor of its kind. Its aperture design optimises light throughput. Robust optoelectronics ensure thermal stability over a -10° – 60°C operating range, for accurate analysis even in harsh environments. Unlike comparable devices, Spark delivers optical resolution of 4.5-9.0 nm (FWHM), making it viable for a wide range of applications.