Andor Technology Mechelle User Manual
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Andor Technology Mechelle User Manual

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8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor
Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD
Mechelle
V
4.2
06 o
2020
ersion
reVised
ct
User Guide
andor.com
© Andor Technology Ltd. 2020

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Summary of Contents for Andor Technology Mechelle

  • Page 1 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Mechelle 06 o 2020 ersion reVised User Guide andor.com © Andor Technology Ltd. 2020...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    START-UP DIALOG ......................... 29 SECTION 4: USING THE MECHELLE ................ 30 LAUNCHING THE SOFTWARE ....................30 SETTING UP THE MECHELLE IN THE SOFTWARE ............30 4.2.1 Extract Spectrum ............................32 4.2.2 Order Lines ..............................32 4.2.3 Temperature and calibration ........................32 4.2.4 Options (other) .............................
  • Page 3 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD ACQUIRING DATA ......................... 35 WAVELENGTH CALIBRATION USING A MERCURY-ARGON SPECTRAL LAMP ....36 CALIBRATION ........................37 4.5.1 Calibration Files ............................39 4.5.2 Displaying Results ............................40 CROSSTALK ........................... 42 SUB-SPECTRUM ........................
  • Page 4 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD APPENDIX A: MECHANICAL DRAWINGS ..............60 APPENDIX B: REFERENCE INFORMATION ............. 61 APPENDIX C: OTHER INFORMATION ..............65 Version 4.2 rev 06 Oct 2020...
  • Page 5 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD evision istoRy Version Released Description 12 Nov 2004 Initial Release 30 Sep 2005 21 Aug 2006 21 Jul 2011 31 Jul 2011 13 Dec 2011 Updated to current format (all sections revised) 07 Feb 2017 Information updated for USB camera models.
  • Page 6 The Mechelle a is a precision scientific instrument containing fragile components. Always handle with care. This product is not designed to provide protection from ionising radiation. Any customer using this product in such an application should provide their own protection.
  • Page 7 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD anual andling Due to the delicate nature of some of the components within, care must be exercised when handling this product. Proper manual handling techniques are important when unpacking and installing the system to ensure that the integrity of the product is safeguarded and individuals involved are not exposed to unnecessary manual handling risks, such as: •...
  • Page 8 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD pecial arnings bout asers CAUTION – USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PERFORMANCE OF PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY RESULT IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPOSURE •...
  • Page 9 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD uidelines for tHe peration of aser roducts Please note that not all of the following guidance may apply to your product, e.g. you may not have invisible lasers.
  • Page 10 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD aser lass ractical ifferences The practical differences between the main classes are as follows as defined in IEC 60825-1 Annex C and Table F.2: Diffuse Class...
  • Page 11 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Diffuse Class Overview* Skin Fire Hazard Detail † Reflections Lasers which approach the Class Direct intrabeam 3B AEL may Risk of igniting viewing produce minor flammable...
  • Page 12 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD aser roduct afety tandards If your product contains lasers, it has been designed and manufactured to comply with the international laser product safety standard IEC 60825-1 and the U.S. CDRH Regulation 21CFR § 1040.10 to reduce risk as far as is reasonably practicable.
  • Page 13 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD aser afety and roduct oMpliance abels eneral yMbols WARNING: Laser Radiation This product meets the requirements of the applicable CE-marking directives of the EU Me-opt-0007 c...
  • Page 14 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Me-opt-0009 l aser lignMent odule afety abel aser perture The indicated position of the Laser Aperture is where the laser is emitted from this product. aser...
  • Page 15 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Me-opt-0009 f ibre utput aser perture afety abel As the fibre can be disconnected from the ME-OPT-0007 Collimator/Collector, laser radiation can be emitted from the output, so it is labelled as a ‘Laser Aperture’. Although the output would be classified as Class 2 because it is typically 0.15 mW under IEC 60825-1 Condition 3, this is superfluous as it is attached to a Class 3R product, the Laser Module.

  • Page 16: Section 1: Introduction

    Mechelle spectrograph is based on the echelle grating principal and has a patented optical design, which gives extremely low cross-talk, equally spaced order separation and maximum resolution, compared with other spectrographs. The Mechelle offers a simultaneously recorded wavelength range from UV to NIR with very high resolution and no overlapping wavelengths.

  • Page 17: Technical Support

    If you have any questions regarding the use of this equipment, please contact the representative* from whom your system was purchased, or: Europe Andor Technology Ltd. Andor Technology 7 Millennium Way 300 Baker Avenue Springvale Business Park Suite # 150...

  • Page 18: Disclaimer

    Rotective otices The copyright in this document and the associated drawings are the property of Andor Technology Ltd. and all rights are reserved. This document and the associated drawings are issued on condition that they are not copied, reprinted or reproduced, nor their contents disclosed.

  • Page 19: Supplied Components

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 1.5 s upplied oMponents The Andor Mechelle is supplied with the following standard components: Description Quantity Mechelle 5000 echelle spectrograph Description Quantity Description Quantity 50 µm core,...

  • Page 20: Section 2: Product Overview

    For connection to camera e.g. Andor iStar CCD or sCMOS (4 off, 6/32 x 3/8 UNC). Support Feet Two support feet provide a stable platform for the Mechelle. These can be secured to an optical bench or removed. Version 4.2 rev 06 Oct 2020...

  • Page 21: Internal Components Of The Mechelle

    8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 2.2 i nteRnal oMponents oF tHe ecHelle The main internal parts of the Mechelle are summarised below (refer to Appendix B for the principles of operation and also www.andor.com/learning-academy/echelle-spectrographs-a-flexible-tool-for-spectroscopy-raman-and-libs-spectroscopy Purge Port Sealed, N filled...

  • Page 22: Entrance Aperture Slit

    The standard Mechelle is supplied with the SMA connector and brass tool (Figure 3, left). The maximum aperture height recommended to avoid order crosstalk is 50 μm. The entrance aperture can be either, a direct fibre input, a slit or a pinhole.

  • Page 23: Shutter

    Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 2.3.2 s HutteR The Shutter is an optional item on the Mechelle system. • If an ICCD camera is used, the image intensifier acts as the shutter (however a mechanical shutter may still be used as a way to minimise photobleaching of the intensifier).

  • Page 24: Optional Cc52 Collector/Collimator With Alignment Laser

    CC52, has been designed. It has been optimised to ensure that all photons with wavelengths in the range 200 - 950 nm are collected at a high F/2 aperture and ‘squeezed’ into the Mechelle F/7 aperture. Figure 7: The CC52 Collector/Collimator...

  • Page 25: Section 3: Installing The Mechelle Spectrograph

    Carefully remove the Mechelle from its packaging. Refer to the packing list to confirm all components are correct and undamaged. Allow the spectrograph to sit in the laboratory environment for a couple of hours to adapt to the ambient temperature.
  • Page 26 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Camera Alignment Grub Screw Camera Alignment Grub Screw Figure 11: Camera Flange (right side view) Couple a spectral lamp to the spectrograph (e.g. Mercury-Argon). Rotate and focus the camera to achieve the smallest spots possible (3 pixels FWHM in CCD and 5 pixels FWHM in ICCD in x-direction).

  • Page 27: Calibration Source

    3.3 c alibRation ouRce To wavelength calibrate the Mechelle spectrograph a spectral calibration source is needed. A Mercury/Argon lamp is recommended for Mechelle calibration. Example wavelengths shown below- please refer to information suplied with your reference lightsource. Hg Wavelengths (nm) Ar Wavelengths (nm) 253.652...

  • Page 28: Connecting A Usb Based Camera

    Connect the I C shutter/temperature cable between the Mechelle and the camera. NOTE: The shutter is optional when using the Mechelle with the Andor iStar intensified camera. However it is recommended to protect the image intensifier photocathode from photobleaching during experimental ‘dead-time’.

  • Page 29: Installing Andor Solis Software For Windows (8, 8.1 And 10)

    Note: You can check that the camera is correctly recognized and installed by opening the Device Manager (Devices and printers) in Windows, Control Panel. The Mechelle and camera will show under the Devices list. NOTE: On the first startup of Solis, you may be required to direct the software to the drivers. If so, select the directory that Andor Solis was installed to.

  • Page 30: Section 4: Using The Mechelle

    4.1 l auncHing tHe oFtWaRe The Mechelle and camera can be controlled via Andor Solis and the software is launched by clicking on the Andor Solis icon which was created when the software was installed. 4.2 s etting up tHe...
  • Page 31 In this instance, the Spectrograph X-Calibration dialog box appears: Click on the Spectrograph Setup tab and the Spectrograph Setup dialog box appears. In the XML Setup File field of the Mechelle Setup dialog box, click on the button, then locate and select the appropriate .xml file for the Mechelle model being used.

  • Page 32: Extract Spectrum

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.2.1 e xtraCt peCtrum The ‘extract spectrum from acquisitions’ option must be selected if the user wishes the spectrum to be generated or updated following every acquisition.
  • Page 33 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Close all dialogue boxes, then save: NOTE: The configuration file must be named either istar.cfg or AndorSolis.cfg. After the Save button is pressed, choose to overwrite the existing file if appropriate.
  • Page 34 CCD or iKon platforms) or on the real-time control interface (for iStar sCMOS). For details on how to setup the different acquisition parameters of detectors that can be coupled to Mechelle, please refer to the relevant user guide for either iStar CCD, iStar sCMOS or iKon CCD.

  • Page 35: Acquiring Data

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.3 a cquiRing To acquire your data, click the button on the Main Window. The configuration file (.cfg) that comes with the Andor software enables the system to make an acquisition using a number of default conditions including sensor exposure time, intensifier gate width and delay, camera trigger mode and kinetic series/single acquisition mode..

  • Page 36: Wavelength Calibration Using A Mercury-Argon Spectral Lamp

    To do this you should switch on a reference source (the procedure below uses a Mercury-Argon lamp with a wide spread of spectral features from UV to NIR) and acquire a signal. NOTE: If the Mechelle has a slit option, make sure that the Mercury lamp is set at 50 cm from slit and filling the F# of the Mechelle.

  • Page 37: Calibration

    If a reasonably good calibration exists, a suitable selection for this parameter is from 20 to 50. When the calibration button is pressed, the Results of Mechelle calibration screen appears. The success of the calibration can be judged from this information.
  • Page 38 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD The Found Lines table (see the previous page and Figure 15 below), contains the calibration wavelengths and their order numbers. The third column represents the intensity of this line in counts.

  • Page 39: Calibration Files

    μm given with an accuracy of at least 6 decimal places. Items are comma-separated. The spectral order can be calculated as follows: Spectral order = Order wavelength constant / wavelength (μm) The table below shows the Order wavelength constant for each Mechelle model: MECHELLE MODEL/ CAMERA MODEL ORDER WAVELENGTH CONSTANT ME 5000 / DU934 (iKon-M) 20.139...

  • Page 40: Displaying Results

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Use the nearest integer of the calculation quotient as the spectral order number. If the quotient is close to half way between two orders (e.g. 75.38) the same line can be entered in two spectral orders, namely order 75 and 76. In such a case the line should be entered as two separate entries in the calibration file.
  • Page 41 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD The user can then select the format required. Individual elements can also be filtered using a Periodic Table selector. This is initiated by clicking the button on the Main Window.

  • Page 42: Crosstalk

    There is no standard definition of cross talk and all Echelle-based spectrograph manufactures (except Andor) do not specify the cross talk. To set up the number of orders for which crosstalk correction should be applied, open the Mechelle Setup screen then select the required number from the Crosstalk Removal Order drop-down menu:...

  • Page 43: Sub-Spectrum

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.7 s pectRuM To see a full spectrum, a full image (e.g. 1024 x 1024 pixels) must be read out which could take more than one second.
  • Page 44 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD The sub-image area required is calculated by the software and displayed in the image window (#0) (see figure 21 below). Only the sub-image is then read out and a sub-spectrum is extracted from it.

  • Page 45: Echelle Grating Efficiency

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.8 e cHelle Rating FFiciency Echelle gratings produce a series of different orders over the entire spectral range of interest (e.g. the ME5000 model produce around 80 orders). When the grating is used in the Littrow angle, the grating efficiency at its maximum in the middle of each order.

  • Page 46: Standard Lamps

    5% to 10%. Since the Mechelle has a very wide wavelength range, the standard lamp used must cover the same wavelength range or more. Unfortunately these is no lamp can cover 200 nm - 975 nm, therefore two lamps are required to carry out this procedure.

  • Page 47: Grating Efficiency Correction Procedure

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.10 g Rating FFiciency oRRection RoceduRe To correct for grating efficiency, either click the button or select Acquisition, Setup date type from the drop-down menu, select Counts (R.E.C.) then click on the Do correction button.
  • Page 48 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Switch off the light source and then click Take Background: Switch on calibrated light source 1 and wait for it to stabilise (refer to the light source manual for the waiting time).
  • Page 49 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD After completing the previous steps, the relative efficiency correction is now complete and the system ready for use. NOTE: Window #1 above contains the following five tabs: Source: the manufacturers data for the lamp.
  • Page 50 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Cf: the correction factor calculated for source data and Ref data: Live: the row data of a new signal. An example for a QTH lamp is shown below: Sig: the new data after applying the correction factor Cf.

  • Page 51: Rec Example 1

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.10.1 Rec e xaMple The following example shows the effect of the relative efficiency correction. • The following figure shows the row data (live) from a mercury lamp, if shows that the intensity of the 546 nm line has double the intensity of the 253.7 nm line.
  • Page 52 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.10.2 Rec e xaMple The following figure shows the signal from a QTH lamp after applying the relative efficiency correction. It is clear that there are very large noise levels at the lower wavelengths (200 - 350 nm). This is caused by a lack of signal from the light source.

  • Page 53: Relative Efficiency Correction

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.11 R elative FFiciency oRRection Click the button and the Relative Efficiency Correction dialog box appears: Change the usable wavelength range to be between 350 - 800 nm.

  • Page 54: Effect Of Ambient Temperature On The Relative Efficiency Correction

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 4.11.1 e FFect oF Mbient eMpeRatuRe on tHe elative FFiciency oRRection When the ambient temperature changes, the refractive index of the prisms will change which result in a shift of the orders in the vertical direction, i.e.

  • Page 55: Section 5: Troubleshooting

    Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD SECTION 5: TROUBLESHOOTING The optics in the Mechelle spectrograph are factory adjusted before delivery and the design features few adjustable or moving parts. Therefore it requires minimal interaction once setup in the software and in use. Refer to the troubleshooting sections of your camera and software guides.

  • Page 56: Section 6: Maintenance

    Please observe the following general precautions: • When the Mechelle is not being used, it is recommended to protect the fibre optic input connection with the protection cap, included in the delivery •...

  • Page 57: Purging The Shutter Housing

    In this case the SMA connector is removed, the slit disk is attached to the Mechelle then the SMA connector attached after the slit disk as shown below.

  • Page 58: Section 7: Technical Specifications

    1 Hz (optional) * This is the Mechelle wavelength range and if a shorter spectral range detector is used, this range will be reduced. For example, if an iStar DH334T-18F-03 was used (spectral range = 180 - 850 nm), the overall wavelength would be 200 - 850 nm.

  • Page 59: Me-Opt-0007 Collimator/Collector With Alignment Laser Specifications

    Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD 7.4 Me-opt-0007 c olliMatoR ollectoR WitH lignMent aseR peciFications Wavelength 650 nm nominal (640 nm to 665 nm) Beam Diameter at Laser Aperture 25 – 47 mm Adjustable Beam Divergence* 0 –...
  • Page 60 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD APPENDIX A: MECHANICAL DRAWINGS 598.0 23.54 110.7 4.36 Dimensions mm[inches] 160.0 6.30 324.7 12.78 598.0 23.54 110.7 4.36 Gate monitor socket 60.0 6.30 324.7 12.78 Version 4.2 rev 06 Oct 2020...
  • Page 61 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD APPENDIX B: REFERENCE INFORMATION cHelle Heory Echelles are a special class of high-angle gratings, rarely used in orders below m = 5 and sometimes used in orders beyond 100.
  • Page 62 Figure 30: Optical layout of the echelle design Figure 31 Shows the Mechelle layout using a patented combination of prisms and grating to obtain equally spaced orders at the focal plane of the instrument, as well as simultaneous large bandpass and high spectral resolution.
  • Page 63 . The number of orders that can be placed on the detector is determined by the distance L (shown in figure 33) between the orders. The design utilised by the Mechelle lead to 80 orders being imaged at the instrument focal plane.
  • Page 64 Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD Figure 33: Detailing four spectral orders, indicating distance between orders, LT and centre wavelengths b2 - s aMple Mages Figure 34: Image of Mercury-Argon lamp obtained using Mechelle ME5000 fitted with iStar DH334T Version 4.2 rev 06 Oct 2020...
  • Page 65 Mechelle 8.2 x 8.2 mm / 512 x 512 sensor Lowest Noise Imaging EMCCD APPENDIX C: OTHER INFORMATION erMs and onditions of ale and arranty nforMation The terms and conditions of sale, including warranty conditions, will have been made available during the ordering process.

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