March 5, 2008

Jaz is a family of stackable, modular and autonomous components that combine to create a single, powerful smart sensing instrument.

According to Ocean Optics, Jaz breaks through the limits of optical sensing instrumentation: a powerful microprocessor and onboard display eliminate the need for a PC; stackable, autonomous instrument modules allow users to customize the system to their changing application needs; and Ethernet connectivity plus an SD card for data storage ease remote operation.

The tag line at Booth 927 promoted the new instruments as “the world's coolest modular measuring suite that is like nothing you've ever seen before.”

Jacqueline Hewett, who is keeping a show blog for Optics.org, believed the device lived up to the claim, saying “A lot of thought has obviously gone into the product design because it has the look and feel of a PlayStation controller and is very simple to use—it’s just like using a digital camera.”

Users hold the Jaz up to whatever they want to measure, watch the spectrum on the display module, and save. The display gives a rough idea of what the spectrum looks like, says Hewett, and then users can view it in more detail by transferring the spectral data to the PC.

Measurements can include reflectance, transmittance, and more. As well as the Jaz, Ocean Optics is exhibiting a laser assisted microwave plasma spectroscopy (LAMPS) system, which extends the capabilities of conventional laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Current LIBS technology ablates a minute portion of the solid or liquid sample and then analyzes the resulting plasma. LAMPS goes further by using a microwave cavity to enhance the plasma discharge, which increases the sensitivity. The company is also showing a new line of spectrometers that use a back-thinned CCD sensor which has an improved UV response.

The power consumption for the Jaz is 2.5 W, and the Jaz is RoHS compliant. The platform expands to include a light source, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and up to 8 spectrometer modules.

System specifications

Jaz Spectrometer Module: replaceable slits and gratings allow for modular spectrometry. Though the crossed Czerny-Turner optical bench design may be familiar users, the rest of the bench is significantly altered. For maximum flexibility, gratings and external slits are designed to be easily switched out.

• Detector: Sony ILX511B linear CCD array (200-1100 nm)
• Grating options: 14 gratings, UV through Shortwave NIR
• Select from 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 or 200 μm widths
• Fiber optic connector: SMA 905

Jaz OLED Display Module: onboard microprocessors eliminate the need for a PC, and the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display doubles as the user interface. The microprocessor orchestrates module interaction, handling data processing and logging, distributed computing and user interface functions.

• OLED display: 128 x 64
• Keypad: push-button functions
• Onboard computer: embedded processor
• Additional interfaces: USB 2.0; GPIO for triggering and other functions

Jaz EB Ethernet and Memory Module: the 100 Mb/s Ethernet is a single-cable solution which supplies system with power, provides memory, and enables remote access. Communication can take place among any modules connected to the Internet. An SD card slot is included in this module for data storage.

• Ethernet: 100 Mbps, IEEE 802.3-compliant 10/100
• Data storage: SD card

Jaz MB Battery and External Memory Module: rechargeable lithium-ion battery, USB, or external power supply allow autonomous data collection with power-conserving sleep mode for long-term measurements. The module includes two SD card slots for memory and other function.

• Type: rechargeable lithium-ion
• Life: about 4 hours before recharging

Jaz Light Source Module:

• Type: UV-VIS deuterium-tungsten halogen
• Bulb life (estimated): 800 hours for deuterium; 2,000 hours for tungsten

SOURCES: Ocean Optics, Optics.org