PerkinElmer Spectrum 100 Series User manual

L1050069A
PerkinElmer Ltd, Chalfont Road, Seer Green,
Beaconsfield, BUCKS, HP9 2FX, United Kingdom.
Produced in the UK.
Spectrum 100 and 400 Series
Right-hand External Beam Option
Spectrum 100 and 400 Series instruments can be fitted with a Right-hand External Beam
Option.
The Right-hand External Beam Option includes: a right-hand beam moveable mirror fitted
within in the spectrometer, a KBr window, and an external accessory bracket fitted in the
handhold on the right of the instrument. The bracket allows you to attach and use a pre-
amplifier and detector of your choice.
Figure 1 Handhold with external accessory bracket fitted
This document describes how to:
•Fit a different window in the right-hand external beam port.
•Connect a third-party pre-amplifier and detector to the instrument.
•Configure Spectrum or Spectrum Express software to use a third-party external
detector.
•Use Spectrum or Spectrum Express software to select the accessory.
NOTE: The Right-hand External Beam Option is installed, in the first instance, by a
PerkinElmer Service Engineer, who will install the external accessory bracket in the
handhold on the right of the instrument (if not already fitted) and any internal parts
required. This external accessory bracket should not be removed.

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Disclaimers
PerkinElmer Ltd. offers no guarantee regarding the operation or performance of any third-
party pre-amplifiers and detectors used in conjunction with the Spectrum Series Right-hand
External Beam Option.
Warnings and Safety Information
Electrical safety
Fitting the external beam port window requires you to open the main cover of the
spectrometer.
WARNING
Switch off the mains power supply to the spectrometer, wait 60 seconds,
and disconnect the power cable before you open the cover of the
spectrometer. This makes sure that you are safe from electrical shock
and laser radiation.
Any pre-amplifier attached to the Right-hand External Beam Option can obtain power from
the instrument; no separate power supply is required. However, the instrument has no
provision for powering any other component. If necessary, you must provide a separate
power supply, and ensure that the arrangement meets all the applicable safety standards.
External electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility
The Right-hand External Beam Option is supplied for use as an experimental test bed. The
user-configurable nature of this product means that PerkinElmer cannot guarantee the level
of immunity to external electromagnetic interference (EMI) or the possibility that the product
may itself cause interference to other nearby equipment. It is therefore the responsibility of
the user to consider Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) issues when selecting a suitable
site for the system and to install any additional EMC protection that may be required for that
location.
WARNING
When used in conjunction with the Right-hand External Beam Option, the
Spectrum or Spectrum Express software cannot provide protection to the
detector. In particular, you should be aware that certain detectors may be
damaged by the high energy from the NIR source. Always fit an
appropriate beam attenuator.
CAUTION
You must ensure that any third-party accessories attached to the
Right-hand External Beam Option are earthed appropriately. The external
accessory bracket provides adequate earthing for any third-party
pre-amplifier attached to it.

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Radiation emitted by the Spectrum instrument source
Humidity
Contamination
Safe handling
CAUTION
The Spectrum instrument’s NIR source is a quartz halogen bulb that emits
ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation. The majority of this energy is in
the infrared region. Do not stare into the beam produced by this bulb. For
further safety and warning information see the
Spectrum 100 Series User’s
Guide
(L1050021) or Spectrum 400 Series User’s Guide (L1050056). These
are distributed as .pdf files on the
Spectrum Manuals CD (L1050002).
CAUTION
Never remove the window in the external beam and leave this port open to
atmosphere. If the spectrometer is fitted with KBr optics, do not exchange
the window if the humidity is >45% relative humidity.
The humidity sensitive optics will be damaged if subjected to a relative
humidity in excess of the specified level.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch, or otherwise contaminate, sensitive optical
components such as the parabolic mirror assembly.
These precision optical devices are easily scratched and may not be easy to
clean.
WARNING
The spectrometer is a heavy precision instrument, so two people are
required for safe handling.
For information about moving your spectrometer, refer to the
Spectrum 100 Series User’s Guide (L1050021) or Spectrum 400 Series
User’s Guide (L1050056). These are distributed as .pdf files on the
Spectrum Manuals CD (L1050002).

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Fitting a Different Window to the Right-hand External
Beam Port
Before you begin, make sure you have read and understood the Warnings and Safety
Information
beginning on page 2.
1. Switch off the spectrometer, and then remove the power cable.
2. Undo the locks on the front of the spectrometer, and then open the main cover
.
For detailed instructions, refer to the
Advanced Maintenance section of the
Spectrum 100 Series User’s Guide (L1050021) or Spectrum 400 Series User’s Guide
(L1050056). These are distributed as .pdf files on the
Spectrum Manuals CD
(L1050002).
3. Using the hexagonal wrench supplied, slacken and remove the M2.5 screws securing
the right-hand external beam port cover to the main cover.
4. Remove the beam port cover and seal. Retain for further use.
5. Ensure the seal is fitted to the window and is correctly seated (Figure 2).
Figure 2 Seal fitted to window
Seal
Window

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6. Fit the window to the main cover from the outside in.
Ensure the seal is fully seated and the key on the window lines up with the notch in the
main cover.
Figure 3 Window installed in main cover
7. Secure the window to the main cover by fitting the screws and washers and tightening
the screws using the hexagonal wrench (Figure 3).
8. Close and secure the main cover.
9. Plug in and switch on the instrument.
Fitting a Third-party Pre-amplifier and Detector to the
Instrument
The EXT.R socket on the instrument is a 15-Way High Density D-type. The connection is NOT
hot swappable.
Figure 4 EXT.R socket
CAUTION
You
MUST
ensure that you have switched off the spectrometer and
disconnected it from the mains supply before you fit any third-party
pre-amplifier and detector to the instrument.
Main Cover
Screw and Washer
Screw and Washer
Screw and
Washer
Screw and Washer
Main Cover
Notch and Key
Notch and Key

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The following table details the functionality of the pins. To connect a third-party external
detector, present an analog differential signal to pins 10 and 11.
Pin
number Function Notes
1 Accessory Bus Reset System reset, normally 5 V but 0 V pulse on
spectrometer power up. Output.
2 0 VL 0 V return for digital circuitry.
3 Accessory Bus Clock 30 7200 Hz TTL compatible signal for Accessory
Bus microcontroller clock drive. Do not pull
more than ±2 mA from this pin. Output.
4 Accessory Bus Abort Accessory abort to prematurely finish Accessory
Bus command. Output.
5 Accessory Bus serial transmit
(from spectrometer to
external)
TTL compatible serial signal running at 4800, n,
8, 1. Output.
6 Accessory Bus serial receive
(from external to
spectrometer)
TTL compatible serial signal running at 4800, n,
8, 1. Input.
7 0 VL 0 V return for digital circuitry.
8 5 VL 5 V supply for digital circuitry. Do not pull more
than 1 A from this pin. Output.
9 0 VA 0 V analog return for analog circuitry.
10 EXTDET+ External differential positive analog detector
signal. ±11 V full scale. Input. See Note 1.
11 EXTDET−External differential negative analog detector
signal. ±11 V full scale. Input. See Note 1.
12 0 VA 0 V analog return for analog circuitry.
13 +12 VA +12 V analog for any analog circuitry. Do not
pull more than 100 mA from this pin.
14 −12 VA −12 V analog for any analog circuitry. Do not
sink more than 100 mA into this pin.
15 TRIG_IN (NOT
IMPLEMENTED, LEAVE
DISCONNECTED)
Trigger in. Not implemented at the present
time. Input.
NOTE:
The differential input signal has a maximum positive value when EXTDET+ is at +11 V and EXTDET−is at −11 V. It
has a maximum negative value when EXTDET+ is at −11V and EXTDET−is at +11 V. The input impedance is 100
KΩon each input with reference to 0 VA.

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Optical arrangement
The optical arrangement for an external detector is shown below.
Figure 5 Optical Arrangement for an External Detector
The beam diverges at an approximately 3° half-cone angle.
Configuring Spectrum or Spectrum Express Software to
Use a Third-party External Detector
Right-hand External Beam Option is supported by the following software:
•Spectrum version 6.3.5 (or later) for the Spectrum 400 Series Spectrometers and
Spectrum 100 Series Spectrometers.
•Spectrum Express version 1.3.1 (or later), for the Spectrum 100 Series Spectrometers.
This section describes how to create a modified instrument configuration file for use with a
third-party external detector.
NOTE: It is not necessary to power the instrument to complete this procedure.
1. Browse to C:\pel_apps\bin\
The instrument configuration file is named C*****.cfg, where ***** is the
five-digit serial number of the instrument.
The spectrometer serial number is located on its base casting, in the sample
compartment, under the sample accessory baseplate.
2. Copy the appropriate C*****.cfg file and save it as, for example, C*****.intdet
NOTE: Make sure you save this backup of the original instrument configuration file.
3. Browse to C:\Program Files\PerkinElmer\ServiceIR
CAUTION
The ServiceIR folder contains a number of utilities, many of which are for
use solely by a PerkinElmer Service Engineer.
If used incorrectly, some utilities could damage the instrument.
External
beam port
Interferometer
Source

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4. Double-click S1_Config.exe.
The Configuration File Editor utility opens.
5. Click Load in the File menu, and then select the instrument serial number.
The configuration file is opened for editing.
6. Right-click in the external accessory area to the right of the beampath diagram.
The Add Port dialog is displayed.
7. Select Right Mid in the Select Site pane, select Baseplate in the Select Type pane,
and then click Install.
The Add Port dialog closes and the external accessory area in the Configuration File
Editor is refreshed.

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8. Right-click in the right external accessory area.
The Add Detector dialog is displayed.
9. Select Right Ext in the Select Site pane.
10. Select the detector type in the Select Type pane, and then click Install.
For information on the options available to you, see
Choosing the correct detector type
on page 10.
The Add Detector dialog closes and becomes .
11. Right click .
The Add mirror dialog is displayed.
12. Select Moveable in the Select Type pane, and then click Install.
The Add mirror dialog closes.
13. Click Save.
The configuration file is updated.
14. Click Exit.

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Choosing the correct detector type
You should use the Select Type drop-down on the Add Detector dialog to choose the
detector type you want to use. If you decide to use a PerkinElmer detector, you will find the
drop-down includes all the detector types appropriate to your instrument. Select the one you
require.
If you are using a third-party detector, you should select the appropriate Custom option. The
default settings for the Custom options are shown below.
Detector type Default settings
Wavenumber
range Detector settle time Scan speed
Custom MIR 15000 – 370 15 secs 0.2 cm/s
Custom NIR 15000 – 1250 15 secs 0.2 cm/s
Custom FIR 720 – 30 15 secs 1.0 cm/s
See Adjusting the default Custom detector settings on page 10 for details of how to adjust
these default settings to suit your specific detector.
Adjusting the default custom detector settings
To adjust the default custom detector settings to suit your requirements for the external
detector, follow the steps described below.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure that the settings you provide are appropriate to
your detector type.
1. Browse to C:\Program Files\PerkinElmer\ServiceIR
2. Launch the program SetDetector.exe.
The PerkinElmer Login dialog is displayed.
3. Enter your login details.
The Detector Selection dialog is displayed.

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4. Select the custom detector type you want to work on from the drop-down list, and then
click OK.
The current settings are displayed on the SetDetector dialog.
5. Change the values to suit your detector.
Upper wavenumber /
Lower wavenumber Defines the upper and lower limit for the useable range of the detector.
Different detector types are designed to operate in
different wavenumber ranges. For further information, see
the Detectors topic in the Spectrum online help.
Stabilization time The time required, in seconds, for the detector to settle
after the infrared beam is directed onto it; that is, after
the beampath is changed to use the external detector.
Scan speed The default scan speed to be used when this detector is
selected.
The standard setting for each detector provides the best
signal-to-noise ratio in a reasonable collection time.
For further information, see the Scan Speed topic in the
Spectrum online help.
Detector type Select the detector type. Options include:
•MCT
•INGAAS
•PAS
•TGS, LiTa03, CsI, etc. (used for all other detector
types)
6. When you are finished, select Save and Exit or Cancel, as appropriate.

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Re-instating the configuration file
Should you ever need to revert to the standard instrument configuration file, follow the steps
described below.
1. Browse to C:\pel_apps\bin\
The instrument configuration file is named C*****.cfg, where ***** is the five-digit
serial number of the instrument.
The spectrometer serial number is located on its base casting, in the sample
compartment, under the sample accessory baseplate.
2. Copy the appropriate C*****.cfg file, and save it as, for example C*****.extdet
NOTE: Make sure that you save this backup of the external detector configuration file.
3. Rename C*****.intdet (the backup of your original internal detector configuration file)
as C*****.cfg
NOTE: If a backup of the original configuration file was not made, uninstall the instrument
and then re-install it using the configuration disk supplied with the instrument.
Selecting the Third-party Detector using Spectrum or
Spectrum Express Software
Before you begin, make sure that:
•The required version of Spectrum or Spectrum Express software is installed and
configured. See
Configuring Spectrum or Spectrum Express Software to Use a Third-
party External Detector
on page 7.
•The instrument is powered and has been allowed to stabilize.
To select the external detector in Spectrum software:
1. Start Spectrum, select the Setup menu and then click Instrument.
The Scan and Instrument Setup dialog is displayed, showing the Instrument tab.
2. Select the Beam tab.

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3. In the external detector area, click the symbol, so that it becomes .
NOTE: If an NIR source is being used and the detector type is not either a Custom type or
NIR, a warning message is displayed informing you that the detector may be
damaged by the NIR beam.
You should only select the Yes option, to continue, if an attenuator has been fitted in
the beam or you are confident that the detector can withstand the infrared energy
that will be directed at it.
The external detector is selected.
The Right-hand External Beam Option is indicated by the baseplate icon at the top
right of the Scan and Instrument Setup dialog.

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To select the external detector in Spectrum Express software:
1. Start Spectrum Express, select the Setup menu and then click Instrument.
2. Select the Setup Instrument BeamPath tab.
3. Select Right external as the Beam Location from the drop-down list.
The external detector is selected.
NOTE: The Beam Location field is displayed in the settings table only when an external
detector is configured.

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Optimizing Performance
This section describes how to monitor the energy and provide optimum levels of
performance.
1. Start Spectrum, select the Setup menu and then click Instrument.
2. Ensure that the external detector is selected on the beam path tab.
3. If you have Spectrum software, click the “monitor – energy” icon on the Scan and
Instrument Setup dialog to display the signal level detected.
The Display tab is displayed.
OR
If you have Spectrum Express software, switch to Monitor by clicking on the
Measurement toolbar, and then click Energy to display the signal detected.
The Live tab is displayed.
4. Adjust the optical arrangement of your equipment so as to maximize the energy level
detected.
5. Click the “monitor – interferogram” icon on the Scan and Instrument Setup
dialog, and then adjust the height of the interferogram with attenuation or pre-amplifier
gain adjustment to give a signal with a peak of about 0.7 units.
If the interferogram is inverted, the peak should be about −0.7 units.