Ocean Optics spectrometer helps dentists use curing lights more effectively

A spectroradiometrically calibrated USB4000 Spectrometer from Ocean Optics is helping dentists to use curing lights more effectively to harden the white resin composites used to fill cavities. The spectrometer is a key component of the Managing Accurate Resin Curing (MARC) system developed by Dr. Richard Price and researchers at Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and commercialised through BlueLight analytics inc. www.curingresin.com Dr. Price has used Ocean Optics equipment in his laboratory since 2002 to measure the output from dental curing lights. The results of his research have been published in 15 papers internationally.

MARC measures the useful energy a simulated resin restoration receives from a dental curing light, a procedure that is affected by the location of the tooth, the type of resin used, the output of the curing light and the accuracy of the practitioner. Too much or too little exposure of the curing light to the restoration can lessen the lifetime of the filling and potentially damage the tooth. With the MARC system, which includes a laboratory-grade NIST-referenced USB4000 Spectrometer, dental researchers, educators, manufacturers and clinicians can more accurately measure the irradiance (in mW/cm2) and energy per unit area (in J/cm2) delivered by various curing lights in the hands of different dental professionals.

Slightly larger than a mobile phone, the miniature fibre optic USB4000 Spectrometer uses a 3648-element Toshiba linear CCD array detector and high speed electronics. For the MARC system, the spectrometer has been spectroradiometrically calibrated using Ocean Optics' NIST-traceable light source (300-1050 nm). MARC also uses the CC3-UV Cosine Corrector to collect radiation over 180º field of view. This collection device helps mitigate the effects of optical interference associated with light collection sampling geometry - for example, the distance of the light to the restoration.

According to Colin Deacon, president and CEO of BlueLight, the potential impact of MARC is great, with 130 million restorations performed each year in the U.S. alone. Selection of the optimum spectrometer manufacturer for the project was critical. "We chose Ocean Optics because of its superior products and customer service," said Deacon. "We tried some other manufacturers, but there is no question why Ocean Optics is the most widely used and respected manufacturer of miniature spectrometers in the industry."

In developing MARC, BlueLight worked closely with Ocean Optics' OEM Engineering Team, which helps OEM customers bring products to market faster and better optimised to commercial requirements. The team offers complete system design capability for OEMs from supply of fibre assemblies and light sources to sensor coatings and sample holders. Ocean Optics is ISO 9001:2008 certified and can support both integrated system and sub-system manufacturing needs.

For further information, e-mail: info@oceanoptics.eu or view website: www.OceanOptics.eu  Refer to page 304 

SteadiQ neutralises temperature conditions
for accurate spectrometer measurement

A new accessory from Ocean Optics is broadening the range of applications for its field-portable spectrometers. The SteadiQ provides a temperature controlled atmosphere, helping to stabilise temperature effects and eliminate temperature drift in inclement conditions or extreme temperatures from -20C to 50°C. The rugged, portable device assures more accurate, reliable results in field applications including solar irradiance, volcanic observation, greenhouse monitoring, and industrial environments such as cold food storage.

Available in both UV (200-1100 nm) and Vis-NIR (400-2500 nm) versions, the SteadiQ interfaces directly with Ocean Optics' USB2000+, USB4000, HR2000+, HR4000, Maya2000, Maya2000 Pro, QE65000, and NIRQuest spectrometers. In extreme hot or extreme 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.

Ocean Optics is a leading supplier of solutions for optical sensing - fundamental methods of measuring and interpreting the interaction of light with matter. With locations in the United States, Asia and Europe, the company has sold more than 150,000 spectrometers worldwide since 1989. Ocean Optics' extensive line of complementary technologies includes chemical sensors, analytical instrumentation, optical fibres, thin films and optics. The company is part of the Halma group of safety and detection companies.

For further information, e-mail: info@oceanoptics.eu or view website: www.OceanOptics.eu  Refer to page 315 

Gold and aluminium coated fibres for extreme conditions

Delivering reliable operation in extreme conditions, Fiberguide Industries provides its metal jacket series of gold and aluminium coated optical fibres. These fibres have proven effective in a number of applications including avionics/ aerospace, Raman spectroscopy and Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) for down-hole oil and gas operations.

Originally developed for ultra high reliability telecommunications, the metal coating preserves the fibre's mechanical strength and provides resistance against static fatigue caused by long term tensile loading. Gold and aluminium coated fibres also can withstand a wide range of temperatures, with aluminium coated fibres rated from -269°C to +400°C and gold rated from -269°C to 700°C.

Gold or aluminium coating can be applied on continuous lengths to a wide variety of multimode, step index, graded index and single mode fibres. Core to clad ratios of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 are available with numerical apertures of 0.12 and 0.26. Non-standard sizes can also be manufactured by request.

Fiberguide Industries, Inc. manufactures a comprehensive line of standard and custom high optical transmission fibres, OEM assemblies and ultra precision arrays. The company is a part of the global Halma technology group, which also includes photonics specialists Ocean Optics www.oceanoptics.com a leader in spectroscopy and optical thin films; and Labsphere www.labsphere.com a recognized expert in the light metrology field. FDA registered as a Contract Manufacturer and Custom Device Manufacturer, Fiberguide's corporate and optical fibre manufacturing facilities are located in Stirling, New Jersey, with a manufacturing/assembly facility in Caldwell, Idaho. For further  information, email: info@fiberguide.com or view website: www.fiberguide.com

HWM launches new touchscreen water
leakage correlator with class-leading sensor

Halma Water Management (HWM) has developed a new water leak correlator that features a class-leading sensor, a large full-colour touch screen, and integrated noise filtering, analysis and management software. The company, which incorporates Palmer Environmental Ltd., developed the first correlator over thirty years ago, and has been at the forefront of leak detection design and manufacture ever since. With significant improvements to existing components and the addition of brand new features, HWM believes the new MicroCorr Touch (TriCorr Touch in the USA) represents a real breakthrough in leak detection technology. The unit is operated by touchscreen, making it much easier to input data and maximising the visible screen area to display results more clearly than has ever been possible before.

Leak correlation is used to find the exact location of a leak on a pipe. Highly-sensitive acoustic sensors are placed at intervals on the pipe, and listen to the sound made by the leak. The data is transmitted wirelessly to a handheld 'base unit', which processes the information to identify the leak sound, and then applies mathematical algorithms to to pinpoint the leak position.

The Touch features a newly-developed sensor designed to be at least twice as sensitive as anything else available on the market today. This enables it to perform well even in traditionally difficult conditions, such as on plastic and large diameter pipes. It is also the first standalone correlator to feature a high visibility full colour VGA touch screen to greatly improve data entry and the quality of data presentation. The intuitive user interface eases and simplifies leak-finding without compromising on functionality or precision, and enables the unit to be operated with the minimum number of key presses. The large screen, with Tuffscreen anti-glare screen protection, clearly displays correlation results and supportive information even in bright sunshine, effectively combining outstanding performance with excellent ease of use.

The system is equipped with an innovative tri-filter correlation option which can simultaneously perform three correlations at different filter settings. This is particularly useful when the pipe material is uncertain. When the best filter is seen, the correlation switches to focus on this. The outstation is compact with high quality long range radio transmission; it also features a magnet to secure onto metallic street furniture. The purpose designed robust case not only carries and protects all components but charges them via mains or vehicle supply. The charge level for all items can be shown at the touch of a button.

Using the company's extensive experience of correlator technology, HWM believes that it has created an easy to use system that delivers the best all round performance available today at a highly competitive price.

For further information, e-mail: sales@hwm-water.com  or view website: www.hwm-water.com