With the threat of climate change, understanding the workings of our atmosphere is of crucial importance. Ozone is the most important trace gas in the stratosphere and troposphere and it is monitored by both satellite-borne and ground-based instruments. Accurate knowledge of ozone absorption cross-sections is vital for this work and described in this article.

McPherson's new vacuum spectrometers features stainless steel housings and components for ultra-high vacuum applications. The instruments can achieve 10E-6 T vacuum during operation with elastomer seals and feature master polished optics, multiple entrance and exit port locations and high precision wavelength drives. High reflectivity coatings provide up to 78% reflective efficiency at wavelengths as short as 120 nm and other coatings are available for performance in mid-wave and long-wave infrared applications. An f/4.7 aperture ratio enables good light throughput. Fitted for wavelength scanning and imaging applications, the spectrometers can accommodate many commercial back-thinned, windowless 2D CCD and CMOS sensors and many single channel silicon diode or scintillated photomultiplier-type sensors. The instruments are suitable for experiments involving transient or fast plasma physics, astrophysics, material science or laser-matter interaction experiments. They are available in focal lengths of 0.67 m, 1.0 m, 1.3 m and 2 m and can be prepared for high-vacuum and also ultra-high vacuum applications with all metal seals. Various vacuum compatible accessories are available.

Shimadzu UK has announced a new series of ultra-high performance scanning spectrometers which offer high-precision spectral analysis of a wide range of samples including organic and inorganic compounds, biological samples, optical materials and photovoltaic devices. The small footprint UV-2700 is a double-beam double-monochromator system that covers a wavelength range of 185 nm to 900 nm for direct measurement of high density samples up to 8 Abs. It features an optical system based on the company's Lo-Ray-Ligh diffraction grating, a new holographic grating that gives low stray light and high energy throughput. The UV-2600 model expands the measurement capabilities of the researcher. The instrument's ultra-low stray light grating delivers 5 Abs performance and, by adding the new ISR-2600 Plus dual detector integrating sphere, extends the transmission or reflectance measuring range up to 1400 nm, enabling the user to study UV-vis-NIR transmittance of nanostructures, architectural glass and photovoltaic devices on a more compact bench-top instrument.

Guided Wave has released the ClearView db, a commercially available dual beam photometric process analyser. Incorporating the dual-beam technology from their full spectrum analysers, the company offer an inexpensive, on-line analyser that is simple to operate and easy to maintain while delivery good results. It is suitable for making continuous chemical composition or colour measurements in stable process streams. The simple design can be configured with up to six analytical wavelengths over a wide spectral range of operation (from 400 nm to 2150 nm) and with one or two channels, with no moving optical components. In addition to the general purpose unit, there are two other enclosure options available as well as an optional turbidity port.

This second Product Focus is on Molecular Spectroscopy, and a number of companies have provided information on their key products, their applications and features.

BBCEAS is a new cavity-based absorption technique that uses broadband sources rather than lasers. This offers potential improvements in signal-to-noise but often lower spectral resolution compared to techniques where the laser wavelength is scanned. The article concentrates on liquid-phase applications, an interesting new area since most cavity-based absorption studies have been performed on gas-phase species up to now.

The Biochrom Libra S80 UV/vis spectrometer has been designed for busy pharmaceutical laboratories. Satisfying all requirements of the European Phamracopoeia and featuring system qualification as an option, it is a high-performance, variable bandwidth, double beam system that gives consistent high quality results. All Libra spectrophotometers can be provided as stand-alone instruments but by selecting the S80 as a PC-controlled system, pharmaceutical laboratories can manage critical regulatory data as part of a streamlined information management solution. Resolution CFR software enables a series of users to be set up as part of defined groups with differing access rights, supporting a fully compliant audit trail and electronic signature capabilities.

A new application note from Jenway describes how to determine the concentration of acetylsalicylic acid in aspirin tablets using both the UV and visible wavelength capabilities of their 73 series spectrophotometers. Method 1 measures salicylic acid's absorption maxima at 303 nm while Method 2 quantifies a violet coloured complex at 530 nm after salicylic acid has been derivatised with Fe(III). Three tablets were tested using each method and the results and standard deviations are given in the application note, A09-009A.

Princeton Instruments have introduced several new cameras based on their eXelon back-illuminated CCD and EMCCD detector technology. The new sensors provide good photon detection capabilities across a wide spectrum from 200 nm to 1100 nm and are particularly beneficial for applications requiring enhanced sensitivity in the blue and near infrared regions. The new technology will be featured in the company's PIXIS and ProEM deep-cooled cameras and is available in several pixel-array formats: 1340 × 100 and 1340 × 400 CCD cameras for spectroscopy and 512 × 512 to 2048 × 2048 CCD cameras for spectral imaging. The new cameras will target a wide variety of applications in both the life sciences and physical sciences.

Hamamatsu Photonics has introduced the PMA-12, a combined spectrometer and photodetector offering a range of sensor options in an easy to use single unit. The completge sensor line-up, standard CCD, high-sensitivity back-thinned CCD and InGaAs are all cooled to ensure sensitivity across the full wavelength range from 200 nm to 2350 nm, with direct input through an optical fibre. The instrument comes with intuitive software for real-time measurements of standard characteristics such as emission, reflectance, transmittance and chromaticity, with the spectral response and wavelength data all being fully calibrated for the internal PMA-12 components.

Axiom Analytical has introduced its fibre-optic coupled FDR-825 diffuse reflectance probe. Operating in the NIR and visible spectral regions, the new probe has been designed to yield high performance for the analysis of powders, slurries and other diffusely reflecting materials. A unique feature of the probe is the provision of a set of orifices around the circumference of the probe window, positioned to allow efficient flushing of the window by a solvent or dry vapour stream.

Avantes is pleased to announce the first two instruments in a complete new line of high-sensitivity spectrometers, the AvaSpec SensLine. The AvaSpec-ULS2048x16-USB2 features a high-speed, back-thinned CCD detector with high quantum efficiency for measurements in the UV to NIR range (200–1160 nm). The detector height with 16 pixels of 14 µm is 224 µm and the pixels are vertically binned. The AvaSpec-ULS2048x64-USB2 has an even higher detector height with 64 pixels of 14 µm, vertically binned to an effective detector height of 900 µm for greater sensitivity.

Spectronics has introduced the AccuMAX series of digital radiometers/photometers which provide accurate readouts for UV irradiance, visible illuminance and luminance light readings. The readout units are specifically calibrated for use with a full line of interchangeable sensor detectors. Single-wavelength sensor detectors are available in both standard and extended ranges. The standard range provides UV readings from µW to mW and the extended range provides measurements from mW to W. All sensors are ideal for checking the intensities of fluorescent UV tubes and HID UV bulbs. The meters are microprocessor-controlled with software-driven functions. The readout unit has user-customised settings to work with a wide variety of interchangeable sensor detectors. All detectors can be conveniently connected directly to the readout unit or by a standard USB cable. Powered by two 9 V alkaline batteries, the readout unit is lightweight and portable with a large, easy-to-read screen.

The new Specord Plus from Analytik Jena is suitable for materials and solid sample analysis. Featuring a large sample compartment, this new UV/vis spectrophotometer is characterised by high performance with a comprehensive range of built-in analysis methods for simple, accurate analysis. The instrument can be configured to determine optical properties such as transmittance, reflectance, colour, haze or luminance of solid materials, which is of particular interest in textiles and paper, optical and plastics and colour industries. Benefits include a wavelength range of 190

The Commander from McPherson is an f/4.8 triple spectrometer for the UV and wide wavelength range Raman applications. As a triple grating spectrometer, it has continuously tuneable wavelength positioning for work with tuneable lasers, to seek resonance or to work where filters are not available, deep in the UV. In the UV, it operates to the edge of the atmospheric transmission envelope at 185 nm thanks to a reflective optical system with master polished optics and UV-enhanced broadband coatings. For experiments that approach the oxygen absorption envelope, purge fittings are provided. A wide selection of diffraction gratings and cooled (–100°C) CCD detectors ensure sensitivity. Flexible user-controlled configuration of slit width, apertures and gratings control the system bandpass, rejection edge and spectral resolution as needed. The spectrograph stage, with imaging optics optimises flux and enables imaging across a large focal plane. The f/4.8 aperture ratio collects large solid angle and emission from weakly emitting samples and takes advantage of the smaller diffraction-limited spots occurring in the UV. A single stage bypass allows dedicated use of the spectrograph when required.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched its Evolution 200 series of UV-vis spectrometers featuring new Insight software with CUE (customised user environment) script capabilities.

A new accessory from Ocean Optics is broadening the range of applications for its field-portable spectrometers. The StediQ provides a temperature-controlled atmosphere, helping to stabilise temperature effects and eliminate temperature drift in inclement conditions or extreme temperatures from –20°C to 50°C. Available in both UV (200–1100 nm) and vis-NIR (400–25 nm) versions, it interfaces with the company's USB2000+, USB4000, HR2000+, HR4000, Maya2000, Maya2000Pro, QE65000 and NIRQuest spectrometers. In extreme hot or cold conditions, the unit operates independently from outside temperatures. It connects easily to the spectrometer with preconfigured plug-ins and communicates via the spectrometer's USB port.

Spectroscopy is the measurement of the interaction of radiation with matter before or after spectral dispersion. This has been studied variously by physicists and chemists, has wide applications outside these traditional disciplines and cannot be owned by any particular community. The subject embraces both science (including mathematics) and technology (including computing) and contains many examples of differences, not always understood, between these cultures. It illustrates the unchanging and universal character of the relevant science, which is increasingly revealed by advances in the relevant technology.

Hamamatsu Photonics has introduced the PMA-20, a combined spectrometer and photo-detector offering continuous spectrum measurement with 100 µs temporal resolution.