Spectral Analysis

User Manual

Changchun New Industries Optoelectronics Tech.Co.,Ltd

www.cnilaser.com

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Chapter 1 Introduction................................................................................. 4
1.1 Product Overview............................................................................ 4
1.2 Product Features.............................................................................. 4
Chapter 2 Operation..................................................................................... 6
2.1 Overview..........................................................................................6
2.2 Software Operation.......................................................................... 6
2.3 Spectrometer External-triggering Operation...................................7
2.4 Active Trigger.................................................................................. 8
2.5 Parameters Setting........................................................................... 9
2.5.1 Integral Time................................................................. 10
2.5.2 Average Count................................................................. 12
2.5.3 Smoothness....................................................................... 13
2.6 Operating State Setting.................................................................. 14
2.7 Dimension Operating.....................................................................15
2.7.1 Window Maximize............................................................. 15
2.7.2 Image Adaptive............................................................... 15
2.7.3 Vertical Adaptive......................................................... 16
2.7.4 Zoom In and Zoom Out................................................... 17
2.7.5 Choose Zoom In............................................................... 18
2.7.6 Set Coords....................................................................... 20
2.7.7 Move Image....................................................................... 20
2.8 Reticule.......................................................................................... 20
2.9 Peak................................................................................................ 21
2.10 Data Processing........................................................................... 22
2.10.1 Store Dark Spectrum................................................... 23
2.10.2 Store Reference Spectrum......................................... 23

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 2.10.3 Display Original Spectrum....................................... 24
2.10.4 Mimus Dark..................................................................... 24
2.10.5 Save and subtract dark spectra.............................26
2.10.6 Superimposed spectrum............................................... 27
2.10.7 Absorbance Measurement............................................. 29
2.10.8 Transmission Measurement......................................... 31
2.10.9 Reflection Measurement............................................. 32
2.10.10 Others........................................................................... 33
2.11 Spectrum Processing.................................................................... 34
2.11.1 Overlay Activity Spectrum....................................... 34
2.11.2 Save Spectrum Data..................................................... 35
2.11.3 Save the continuous spectrum data...................... 37
2.11.4 Overlay Spectrum Data............................................... 40
2.11.5 Delete the spectral data......................................... 41
2.11.6 Save Spectrum Image................................................... 41
2.12 Facility Information..................................................................... 41
2.12.1 Facility Information................................................. 41
2.12.2 Facility Selection..................................................... 42

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 Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Product Overview

This Spectral Analysis software for a Fiber Optic Spectrometer is a

spectroscopy software platform that is based on a modular design and

development. Its VC++ based that needs to be operated on Windows 2000

or later. This software is an easy operating, advanced acquisition and

display program that provides a real-time interface for a variety of

signal-processing functions.

1.2 Product Features

(1) User friendly interface

The operating window is simple and easy to handle and is also

customizable to a customer’s request.

(2) Several ways of data collection

During operation, you can set the parameters (integration time,

number of scans, evenness, etc.) freely, and analyse the spectrum by

setting the parameters of data collection.

(3) Control more than one device

Control more than one spectrometer device at the same time and

each USB devices can be operated separately. During operation of the

software, the spectrometer can connect with more than one USB

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equipment and control the USB equipment separately.

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 Chapter 2 Operation

2.1 Overview

This chapter is mainly to introduce the operation of this spectrometer

software via the icons and buttons.

Operating the spectrometer is dependent on the sequence of

operations with the software. For example: you need to save the dark

spectrum and reference spectrum before a transmission measurement,

otherwise there will be an error when you click the ‘transmission curve’

icon. There will also be an error if you deduct the dark spectrum before

saving the dark spectrum. The details of operation will be presented in

this chapter.

2.2 Software Operation

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2

There are 6 areas of the software display: 1.Menu ； 2.Parameter

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settings；3.Tools；4.Curve plot；5.Information display；6.Status

2.3 Spectrometer External-triggering Operation

First, the spectrometer and an external-triggering box (if present) are

connected with the cable supplied, then the spectrometer is connected to

the computer with a USB cable. Open the software, at this time the green

light on the external-triggering box should be flashing and the red one be

continuously on, if not then check the connection.

The system default is internal trigger , to

select ‘external trigger’ click the option on the drop-down box in the

parameter region, .
In this configuration the buttons of “integration time”, “run”,

“pause” and “single step” are unavailable in the parameter region.

unavailable

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2.4 Active Trigger

In order to realize the timing control of the spectrometer and laser,

select “Active Trigger” under “ Device ” in the menu bar.

Click “Active trigger control” and the following dialog box pops up:

In the panel, set the laser parameters, to achieve trigger box control.

The details are as follows:

1. General Settings

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 COM: Serial port number of the RS232-USB serial cable connecting

the PC and the trigger box. To find the serial number: Right-click the

“computer” icon, select “management” into the “computer management”.

The serial number (COM) is displayed when the port is clicked. Refer to

the following figure:

Pulse width (μs): The width of the laser trigger signal. Select the

appropriate trigger signal width according to the laser.

Frequency (Hz): Trigger frequency is set between 1-10Hz.

2. Use the Software to Start and Stop the Laser

Delay sets the acquisition spectrum. Appropriate delay can reduce

the continuous spectrum of the test process.

Click ‘sure’ to accept the changes.

2.5 Parameters Setting

Basic parameters in the parameter region include: Integral Time,

Average Count and Smoothness. For each of these fields, either an

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integer value can be typed into the box and pressing ‘enter’, or the value

can be adjusted using the up and down arrows at the right of box then

removing the cursor from the arrows.

2.5.1 Integral Time

‘Integral Time’ is exposure time. The higher the Integral Time, the

more photons are collected by the spectrometer’s CCD. If an expected

curve is low , the integral time can be appropriately raised.

The Integral Time range is 4ms to 10s. The time unit (ms or sec) can

be selected via a drop-down box. The adjusting range is 4 ms to 10s

outside of which an error will be displayed.

The smaller the Integral Time, the faster the screen curve can be

refreshed. Changing the Integral Time is effective after a current scan is

completed. For example if the Integral Time is set to 10s and after 1s it is

set to 100 ms, then the new duration will be active after 9s.

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 As picture shows, the signal is weak when the Integral Time is 1s.

As the picture shows, the signal is significantly enhanced with an

Integral Time of 10s.

If the Integral Time is too high, the noise will be high and the signal

may be saturated.

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 When the integral time is set to 2s, the noise increased significantly,

the signal saturation will lead to inaccurate measurements.

2.5.2 Scans to Avg

Set the number of discrete spectral acquisitions that are accumulated

before Spectral Analysis receives a spectrum.The higher the value,the

better the signal-to-noise ratio.

Refresh progress will be prompted at the bottom left corner of the

interface. A frame will be refreshed when the progress reaches 100%.

The higher the Average Count value, the less the plot fluctuates，but

higher values will result in slower refresh rates. For example, if the

integral time is set to 100ms and the average count is set to 50, then the

image will be refreshed after 5s.

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2.5.3 Smoothness

A curve that fluctuates dramatically can be decreased by increasing

the ‘Smoothness’ value which will perform a ‘moving average’ operation.

If curve ‘Smoothness’ is set to value ‘n’, then each data point is

represented by the sum of the values of n points to the left and n points on

the right divided by 2n+1.

The Smoothness of curve can reduce noise well, but it also reduces

the resolution of the spectral curve. For example if Smoothness is set to

20 in the example above (fig x), although the noise for curve is small, the

peak of original curve is lost.

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2.6 Operating State Setting

The Operating state can be set in the left of the edit box.

means start scanning, means stop scanning, means scan once.

opened. Click to stop data capturing. At this time, the curve shows
the most recent captured data. A frame will be captured and displayed

each time the single step run is clicked. If the Average Count is set to n,

clicking a single step run, will capture n frames of data and showed the

average after processing.

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2.7 Dimension Operating

As the picture shows, the red marked region has tools for dimension

operating: 1.Window Maximize, 2. Image Adaptive, 3.Vertical Adaptive,

4. Zoom In , 5. Zoom Out, 6. Choose Zoom In , 7. Set Coords, 8. Move

Image

2.7.1 Window Maximize

With the ‘Window Maximize’ button, the range for the axes are the same

as the initial screen with a wavelength range of 200 - 1100(nm) and the

strength 0 - 16000 (counts).

2.7.2 Image Adaptive

With the ‘Image Adaptive’ button, the maximum and minimum

value of both the horizontal and vertical coordinates for the current frame

are used as the coordinate axis ranges. The completed curve can be seen

at this time.

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2.7.3 Vertical Adaptive

The ‘vertical adaptive’ mode is adopts the maximum and minimum

value of the curve ordinate to define the range. The abscissa is not

changed.

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2.7.4 Zoom In and Zoom Out

Press the “Zoom In” button to enlarge the image. Click the centre of

the area that needs to be enlarged, then press “Zoom In” button

(repeatedly) to enlarge the image.

For example, in the image as below, if you want to enlarge the area

in the red circle, then click the area in the circle.

Image after enlarging is as below.

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 The method of zoom out is similar.

You can also use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. Turn the

mouse wheel upward is equivalent to pressing the “Zoom In” button and

turn the mouse wheel downward is equivalent to pressing the “zoom out”

button. When using the mouse wheel, the position of the mouse arrow

changes the center of area that will zoom in and out.

2.7.5 Choose Zoom In

This tool provides a more flexible function of enlargement. Click the

icon in the toolbar. The mouse position selects the area can be

enlarged.

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 If the curve is as shown in above image, you want to enlarge area in

the red rectangle. Put the mouse at the area. Hold down the left mouse

button. Move the mouse. Then lift the left mouse button. The curve

changes to the following image.

Hold down the left mouse button at any position in the image. Then

move the mouse to the upper left. The curve returns to the original state

before enlargement.

Drag the mouse to the lower right corner when you want to

enlargement. If you drag the mouse to upper left, the curve returns to the

previous state. Other drag and drop methods do not work. Guarantee a

certain height and width when you drag the mouse. Or else the software

will make the operation as the misoperation and it will ignore the

operation.

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2.7.6 Set Coords

Click “Set Coords” and the dialog box below will appear:

Modify the coordinate range of the x-axis and y-axis, then click

‘Modify’ followed by ‘Close’.

2.7.7 Move Image

Click the icon in the toolbar. Image drag and drop function to
achieve

2.8 Reticule

Press the “Reticule” button to add a grid line with corresponding

wavelength displayed.

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 Press the left mouse button at any position. One dotted line appears.

When you press the left mouse button at another position, the dotted line

relocates accordingly. The value of intensity at the position of the line is

shown in the window below the spectrum.

The reticule line can also be changed by using the arrows next to the

x-coordinate value.

2.9 Peak

Click , appearing dialog box as below:

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 According to the demand, change the options,You can also change

the baseline position and adjust the number of lines that you want to

display information, as shown below:

2.10 Data Processing

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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 The data processing section includes: 1. Store Dark; 2. Store

Reference; 3. Display Original Spectrum; 4. Mimus Dark; 5. Save and

subtract dark spectra; 6. Superimposed spectrum; 7.Absorbance;

8.Transmissivity; 9. Reflection.

Dark spectrum, also known as dark noise, in the absence of light

source into the spectrometer, the spectrum will have a certain intensity,

which is dark spectrum.

2.10.1 Store Dark Spectrum

After switching off any light input to the spectrometer, click the

button in the toolbar to save the dark spectrum. Dark spectrum will be
recorded in memory for subsequent calculations and processing.

You can load the dark spectrum by opening the file, this will be

described in detail in the subsequent file operations.

2.10.2 Store Reference Spectrum

Save a selected spectrum by clicking as the reference source

measurements.

The reference spectrum also can be loaded by openning a new file,

which will be detailed in a later chapters.

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2.10.3 Display Original Spectrum

Click to return to return to the original uncorrected spectrum.

2.10.4 Minus Dark

Click the button 4 in the toolbar, the collected data point-by-point

minus the dark spectrum has been saved. You must save the dark

spectrum before dark spectrum operation, otherwise it will prompt an

error. As shown below:

The following figure shows save the dark spectrum without any

incident light.

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 The following figure shows save the dark spectrum under the

incident light.

The curve after deducting dark spectrum as shown below:

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 At present the deducting dark spectrum icon is in an active state, the

spectrum will return to the original state by clicking the icon again.

2.10.5 Save and subtract dark spectra

Click the button , at this time, the button is pressed in the state,

you can directly save and subtract dark spectrum.

Without any incident light, before clicking the button as shown

below:

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 Click the button as shown below:

In the state without deducting the dark spectrum, click the button

to recover.

2.10.6 Superimposed spectrum

Click the button , the following dialog box appears:

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 According to the demand, fill in the number of superpositions n, and

then click the button in the dialog box. The relative intensity of

the final spectrum is n times the original spectrum intensity.

For example, when the number of superimpositions is "1", the

original spectrum is as follows:

When the number of superimpositions is “2”, the original spectrum

is as follows:

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2.10.7 Absorbance Measurement

Taking an absorbance measurement is achieved by clicking in

prior to calculating absorbance, otherwise the software will show an error.

Below graph shows when the reference spectrum was not saved.

Every pixel absorbance is calculated via following formula.

 S  D 
A   log10   
 R  D 

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where：

A λ= The absorbance at λ wavelength

R λ= The reference spectrum intensity at λ wavelength

D λ= The dark spectrum intensity at λ wavelength

S λ= The signal intensity at λ wavelength

Below graph shows the dark spectrum.

The following is the reference spectrum

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 The diagram below shows the absorbance curve of certain reference

(light source) spectrum.

2.10.8 Transmission Measurement

A transmission curve is shown by clicking the ‘T icon’ in the toolbar.

A dark spectrum and reference spectrum should be saved prior to

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calculate transmission, otherwise software prompts error.

Every pixel transmission calculated via following formula.

 S  D 
T      100%
 R  D 

where：

T λ= The transmission at λ wavelength

R λ= The reference spectrum intensity at λ wavelength

D λ= The dark spectrum intensity at λ wavelength

S λ= The signal intensity at λ wavelength

The below graph is the transmission curve of certain reference

spectrum.

2.10.9 Reflection Measurement

Reflection curve shown by clicking under toolbar. A dark

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spectrum and reference spectrum should be saved prior to calculate

reflection, otherwise software prompts error.

Every pixel reflection is calculated via the following formula.

 S  D 
T      100%
 R  D 

where：

Tλ= The reflection at λ wavelength.

Rλ= The reference spectrum intensity at λ wavelength.

Dλ= The dark spectrum intensity at λ wavelength.

Sλ= Signal intensity at λ wavelength

The graph below shows a reflectivity curve of a certain spectrum.

2.10.10 Others

Click the absorbance button (transmission or reflection) firstly,

meanwhile raise the reference spectrum button to recover from the state

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of absorbance. The original curve shown when raise deducted dark

spectrum button.

There are certain requirements when operating data processing

buttons. Such as dark spectrum should be saved prior to deduct the dark

spectrum. Dark spectrum and reference spectrum should be saved prior to

check absorbance (transmission and reflection).

2.11 Spectrum Processing

The spectrum processing section includes: 1. Overlay Activity

Spectrum；2. Save Spectrum Data; 3. Save the continuous spectrum data;

4. Overlay Spectrum Data; 5. Delete Spectrum Data; 6. Save Spectrum

Image.

2.11.1 Overlay Activity Spectrum

By clicking , an active static spectrum will be displayed. You

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2.11.2 Save Spectrum Data

Click the button in the toolbar and the following dialog box
will appear:

Select the save path, name the file, and click “Save” button. The

spectrum that is displayed at the time of clicking ‘save’ file will be in the

selected folder.

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Open the file in text mode to view the data.

Spectrometer Data

EN

------------------------------

Saving Time: Thu, Aug 07, 2014 09:57:16

Version Info: V3_19

Serial Number: 220120140315031902001100

Integral Time (μs): 100

Avg Count: 1

Smoothness: 0

Data Type: (0,0)Wavelength-Original Spectrum

X-Axis Unit: nm

Y-Axis Unit: counts

Pixel Count: 3512

Reserve0:250

Other Description:

+++++Begin Spectral Data+++++

200.112 362.000

200.382 367.000

200.651 362.000

200.920 362.000

201.190 355.000

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 201.459 358.000

201.728 357.000

201.998 361.000

202.267 363.000

202.536 363.000

202.806 360.000

203.075 360.000

203.344 359.000

2.11.3 Save continuous spectrum data

Click the button , the following dialog box pops up, the user can

select values in the dialog box as needed.

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 In the dialog box, click the button , the following

dialog box pops up, you can select the desired save directory:

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 Select the save directory, click the button as shown

below:

Click the button , the software “save continuous

spectral data” button to press the state: . Click the "Save Continuous
Spectrum Data" button again, the user will stop the saving manually. Or

to save the user's reservation number and save time, then save the

automatic stop. When you stop the save, the software “save continuous

spectral data” button for the pop-up state: .

as shown below:

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2.11.4 Overlay Spectrum Data

Click , appearing dialog box as below:

You can open the file with text form, as shown below:

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2.11.5 Delete the spectral data

Click the button , the following dialog box pops up:

Click the button to remove the superimposed spectrum.

2.11.6 Save Spectrum Image

Click button in toolbar, select the save path, name the file, and
click “Save” button. The spectrum will be saved as an image rather than a

data set and will be saved in the selected folder.

2.12 Facility Information

2.12.1 Facility Information

All spectrometer information shown by clicking facility information

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(default) under left information area.

The current running facility number can be checked in left the

bottom facility information .

As shown, currently selected is facility 0.

2.12.2 Facility Selection

According to left facility information, current data shown after select

facility number on left bottom drop-down box.

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