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Spectrometer Comparison Guide

Not sure where to start when choosing an Ocean Optics spectrometer? This chart compares important models and features, while our Application Engineers provide specific application insight and guidance.

Explore Our Spectrometers

Note: Newer model spectrometers may not appear on this chart. 

LightSpectrum_SpectrometerChart.jpg

Small Size and Great Versatility

  Small Size  Great Versatility
ST SR2  SR4  SR6
Key features:

Smallest of our spectrometers 

Attractive for integration and scalability

Available in UV (185-650 nm), Visible (350-810 nm) and NIR (645-1085 nm) versions

High-speed spectral acquisition

Remarkable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance

Low stray light

High resolution (FWHM) performance 

Robust electronics platform

Low stray light

High sensitivity

Great UV response

Excellent thermal stability
Optical resolution (FWHM, with 25 µm slit)*: 2.2 nm

0.43- 2.0 nm

0.60-2.03 nm

0.5-2.0 nm

Integration time: 1.56 ms-6 s

1 µs-2 s

3.8 ms-10 s

7.2 ms-5 s

SNR (maximum per second w/High Speed Averaging Mode): 2250:1

25800:1

3000:1

3500:1

SNR (single scan @ 10 ms): 190:1

380:1

250:1

400:1

Thermal wavelength drift: 0.02 nm/° C

0.02 nm/° C

0.02 nm/° C

0.02 nm/° C

Dimensions: 42.1 mm x 40.3  x 26.6 mm  88.1 x 63.5 x 31.45 mm 88.1 x 63.5 x 31.45 mm 88.1 x 63.5 x 31.45 mm
Weight: 70.4 g 275 g 275 g 275 g
Example applications:

General absorbance measurements

High intensity laser characterization

Color measurements

OEM integration

High light level measurements including LED/laser characterization

Applications requiring balanced, broadband spectral response

Identification of atomic emission lines 

Plasma monitoring

 

UV absorbance of proteins and biomolecules 

UV plasma monitoring

Fluorescence of chemical samples

Price: $ $$ $$ $$$

*Optical resolution is provided for a spectrometer with a 25 µm slit and the range of grating configurations available within that model family (SR2, SR4, SR6). All ST models have the same optical resolution performance.

Need Help? Contact an Applications Engineer!

High Resolution 

 

HR2

HR4

HR6

Key features:

Rapid acquisition speed and high resolution (FWHM)

 

Great thermal wavelength stability

Best optical resolution (FWHM)

 

Enhanced electronics

High sensitivity with high resolution

Excellent SNR performance

Optical resolution (FWHM, with 25 µm slit)*:

0.14-1.20 nm

0.13-1.20 nm

<1.0 nm

Integration time:

1 μs-5 s

3.8 ms-10 s

7.2 ms-5 s

SNR (maximum per second w/High Speed Averaging Mode):

25800:1

3000:1

3500:1

SNR (single scan @ 10 ms):

380:1

NA

400:1

Thermal wavelength drift:

0.02 nm/° C

0.02 nm/° C

0.02 nm/° C

Dimensions:

148.8 x 106.4 x 48.2 mm

148.8 x 106.4 x 48.2 mm

148.8 x 106.4 x 48.2 mm

Weight:

931 g

931 g

931 g

Example applications:

Identification of atomic emission lines

 

Absorbance of pharma formulations

Optical emission spectroscopy applications including plasma monitoring

 

Laser/LED characterization

Absorbance of proteins

Semiconductor process monitoring

 

 

Price:

$$

$$

$$

*Optical resolution is provided for a spectrometer with a 25 µm slit and the range of grating configurations available within that model family (HR2, HR4, HR6).

High Performance

 

HDX

QE Pro

NIRQuest+

Key features:

High throughput

 

Excellent peak symmetry

 

Onboard spectral storage and processing

Available in preconfigured model for Raman (785 nm Raman excitation)

High sensitivity

 

Low stray light

 

Onboard spectral storage and processing

 

Available in preconfigured models for Raman (532 nm, 638 nm and 785 nm Raman excitation)

NIR response from 900-2500 nm

 

High sensitivity for lower limits of detection

 

Thermoelectric cooling to -20 °C for low dark current

Optical resolution (FWHM)*:

~0.70-1.10 nm (w/10 µm slit) 

~1.20-1.6 nm (w/10 µm slit) 

~3.13-6.25 nm (w/25 µm slit) 

Integration time:

6 ms-10 s

8 ms-60 minutes

1 ms-120 s

SNR (single acquisition):

400:1

1000:1

13000:1

Thermoelectric cooling:

No

Yes

Yes

Dimensions:

88.9 x 63.5 x 52.4 mm

182 x 110 x 47 mm

182 x 110 x 47 mm

Weight:

0.4 kg

1.15 kg

1.18 kg

Example applications:

High throughput color and irradiance measurements

 

Atomic emission line analysis

 

Plasma monitoring

Fluorescence of proteins, dyes, biological samples

 

Blood and tissue analysis

 

Specular and diffuse reflectance of materials

Moisture detection in fruits and grains

 

Chemical composition and concentration

 

Plastics identification for recycling

Price:

$$

$$$$

$$$$

*Optical resolution for HDX and QE Pro are provided for a preconfigured spectrometer with a 10 µm slit and the range of grating configurations available for each model. Optical resolution for NIRQuest+ is provided for a preconfigured NIRQuest+ spectrometer with a 25 µm slit and its range of available grating configurations.

You May Also Wish to Consider …

  • Maya2000 Pro – back-thinned CCD spectrometer distinguished by excellent UV response and high sensitivity

  • Ocean FX – super-fast spectrometer that captures up to 4,500 scans per second, with onboard spectral buffering of up to 50,000 spectra

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Spectroscopy is a complex technique, with many variations and nuances to consider. Learn more about dynamic range and signal to noise ratio (SNR), which are criteria typically cited as common measures of spectrometer performance.

Watch one of our how-to or guided application setup videos.

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