OEM FTIR Spectrometer

The FTIR "Rocket" OEM Module

Compact and robust FTIR module optimized for system integration

OEM Module with detachable detector and IR source

OEM module with integrated IR source and detector

The ARCoptix FTIR "Rocket" OEM modules is the ideal product for system integrators looking for a custom FTIR measurement design. The modular solution consits of essentially 3 elements:

Interferometer module

Detector module

Light source module

As shown in the above pictures Arcoptix proposes 2 different types OEM modules:

Complete OEM module with integrated light source and detector. It has an input and output port for the IR sensing light.

Flexible OEM module with detachable IR source and detector module.

Depending of the application the OEM module with detachable detector module and IR source module can be used or an additional sampling system (like a White gas cell for example) must be included in the optical path of the system in between the interferometer and the detector module. The modules are easily fixed on a breadboard for prototyping, and they are compatible with standard 30mm cage system (e.g. from Thorlabs or Linos). A software developpment kit - with examples in C, Labview and Matlab - is also provided.

Thanks to its solid state reference laser and its sealed, self-compensated interferometer, the FTIR Rocket OEM module has low sensitivity to temperature fluctuations and vibrations. The detector module is optimized for sensitivity thanks to its TE-cooled MCT detector.

With battery power, the FTIR module can even be used as portable stand-alone system, as it is low power.

Beside the standard features, our engineering team will be glad to help you with the customization of the system.

Interferometer Module with IR source attached

Detachable Detector Module (MCT detector with Peltier)

Modular system
Compact and rugged
High resolution of 4 cm^-1
Easily connected to IR fiber systems
3 possible TE-cooled MCT detector ranges:5000-1700cm^-1 (2-6μm), 6700-1200cm^-1 (1.5 - 8.5μm) or 5000-830 cm^-1 (2-12μm)
USB connectivity
Cost effective

How does it work?

Permanentely aligned interferometer

The heart of the FT-Rocket is dual corner-cube (retro-reflector) interferometer. The two corner-cubes are solidary to a common swinging arm, which rotates to create an optical path difference in the two arms of the interferometer.
This type of design is called a permanently aligned interferometer, as the alignment of the system is known to be the most robust against vibrations and temperature drifts. It never has to be realigned.
The swinging arm of the interferometer rotates on wear-free flexure system, making this mechanical system extremely robust and durable.

Solid-state reference laser

For measuring the movement of the mirrors, a solid-state reference laser is coupled into the interferometer. Compared to classic HeNe lasers, the solid-state lasers that we use are more compact and have a much longer life-time. They have a very low temperature-induced wavelegnth drift and, when kept at constant temperature with a Peltier element, their wavelength can be stabilized to a few PPM, thus providing a very accurate and reproducible wavelength scale. This is crucial for ensuring a day-to-day and unit-to-unit consistency..

Versions of the FTIR-Rocket OEM detector Module

Our OEM interferometer modules are available either with CaF2 or ZnSe beamsplitters, and with different detectors and light sources to achieve optimal performance in different NIR and IR spectral ranges.

FTIR-OEM000 interferometer modules

	FTIR-OEM000-CAF2	FTIR-OEM000-ZNSE
Beam-spliter material	CaF2	ZnSe
Spectral range [cm^-1]	11'000 - 1'100	5'000 - 750
Spectral range [μm]	0.9-8.5	2.0-14.0

Interferometer type	Permanentely aligned, double retro-reflector design
Resolution [cm^-1] (unapodized)	4
Wavenumber repetability	<10ppm
Scan frequency	1 spectrum / second (in continuous aquisition mode)
Control laser	Temperature-stabilized solid-state laser @850nm
A/D converter	24 bit
Operating temperature	10°C-40°C
Communication interface	USB 2.0
Power requirement	12V / 8W (excluding IR source)
Software interface	Windows XP/7/8/10 API for controlling the instrument via our DLL
Dimensions	180mm x 160mm x 80mm
Weight	1800 g

Typical optical layouts

Short gas cell

A typical configuration using the FTIR Rocket flexible OEM modules for transmission through a short-path gas cell (e.g. 7.5cm) is shown in the following scheme:

Free GUI basic software

The FTIR Rocket is delivered with a free Windows XP, 2000 (32-bit) and Windows 7 & 8 (32 and 64 bits) compatible graphical user interface (GUI) program.

The free basic software package allows the user to:

Configure hardware measurement parameters (amplifier gain, averaging, ...).
Display real-time spectral measurement results.
Set reference spectra (white, dark) and choose among raw spectra, transmission or reflection mode.
Usual features such as save, open, zoom, rescale...
Some specific features related to Fourier transform spectrometry: choose among spectrum or interferogram averaging, apodization, look and save the interferograms, etc.

Free API & Examples

The FTIR Rocket is also delivered with a free API that allows you to control the spectrometer with custom code via our DLLs. Examples are available for the following languages:

C++ (on demand)
C#
Labview
Matlab

Advanced data processing & analysis software

In collaboration with Labcognition GmbH in Germany we also offer additional Panorama software packages:

Math Add-on module

contains a set of standard manipulation operations used in spectroscopy, like normalization, derivative, baseline correction, peak picking and more. In addition some special operations are available, like multiplicative scatter correction, thickness correction or standard normal variate correction and others.

Quantity Add-on module

is an expert in multivariate data analysis with quantitative methods like PLS and MLR. A convenient and intuitive wizard guides you through all steps of calibration model development. Complex statistical methods become very easy to use even for non-experienced users.

Search Add-on module

is an ideal add-on to archive your spectroscopic data and related information. It includes spectrum and full text search functionality on spectral libraries of various different library formats or directly on data in the file system.

IRAnalyze software package

is a highly sophisticated IR spectrum interpretation tool. Based on an IR spectrum, it provides you with automatic results for IR bands to functional group correlations and their characteristic frequencies. Furthermore, it is a comprehensive electronic dictionary to browse frequiencies for correlated IR bands.

Accessories

CIR optical fibers for 1-6 microns range

Chalcogenide-IR (CIR) fibers transmit IR-radiation in the spectral range of 1-6μm (10000 - 6500cm^-1). They fill the gap between fused silica fibers (0.2-2.4μm) and polycrystalline infrared (PIR) fibers (4-18μm).

CIR fibers have an NA of 0.28 and are available with core diameters up to 500 µm. These fibers ideally match the range of our spectrometers using 2-6 µm MCT detectors.

PIR optical fibers for 4-18 µm range

Polycrystalline infrared (PIR) fibers transmit IR-radiation in the upper mid-IR range over 4-18μm (2500 - 550cm^-1).

PIR fibers have an NA of 0.25 and are available with core diameters up to 900 µm.

DOWNLOADpdf description of NIR/CIR/PIR optical fibers

Bk7/CaF2 fiber coupler/collimator

Lens-based coupler provides a cost-effective solution for fiber coupling & collimation. Bk7 couplers are fine for the NIR range and up to 4 µm. CaF2 couplers are a good solution for the NIR and and MIR up to 8 µm. Standard fiber connectors are SMA-905, but FC/PC connectors or other types are available on request

Reflective fiber coupler/collimator

Reflective couplers/collimators are needed for the upper MIR range above 8 µm. These couplers use an off-axis parabolic mirror for optimal coupling performance throughout NIR & MIR. Standard fiber connectors are SMA-905, but FC/PC connectors or other types are available on request.

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