Scientific Laboratory Instruments, Optics, and Photonics

Light sources are needed for transmission, absorption and reflection spectroscopic setups. To couple, the light conveniently with the fiber optic bundles, bundles and probes it is essential to collect the light and couple it through SMA-905 connectors. There are different light sources like Tungsten-Halogen light source, Deuterium-Halogen Light Source , LED, Mercury-Argon etc that have different application and wavelength ranges. Tungsten-halogen light source provides stable output and is used in the visible range to do color measurements. Halogen light provides stable output and its life depends on the color and temperature of the bulb. The high stability of halogen light source makes it suitable for the use as a color reflection illumination source and as an irradiance calibration light source. Deuterium light source is found in combination with halogen and is called Deuterium-Halogen Light Source . It provides a stable output and is used in UV-absorption or reflection...

The collimator is a device that changes the diverging light or other radiations from a point source into a parallel beam. This specific feature of the device makes it an important part in spectroscopy and geometric and physical optics. An optical collimator consists of a tube with a convex lens at one end and an adjustable aperture at the other. The collimating lens of Thorlabs inside the collimator produces rays into the parallel beam so that the image can be viewed without parallax. Uses of Collimating Lens The collimating lens of Thorlabs or other labs is curved optical lenses that are used by the user to control the field of view, collection efficiency and spatial resolution of their setups. It is also used to configure illumination and collection angles for sampling. Use of Collimating Lenses in Radiology The collimator lens is also used in radiology where a collimator is an arrangement of absorbers for limiting beam of X-rays, gamma rays, or nuclear par...

Different types of parabolic, spherical, and flat mirrors are produced having different types of mirror substrates . These products have a variety of metallic and dielectric coatings that make them suitable for various applications. The various types of mirror coatings include Protected Aluminum, Enhanced Aluminum, UV Enhanced Aluminum, Bare Gold, and Protected Gold etc that are used for visible applications. UV and DUV enhanced aluminum is used for UV and visible applications while Bare and Protected Gold offer high reflectance for near Infrared and Infrared Wavelength. First Surface and Second Surface Mirrors All the mirrors you use are first surface mirrors. This mirror has a high reflectance coating deposited on the front surface of a variety of different types of glass, metal or semiconductor substrates. The other surface of the mirror may be clear or ground and the mirror is oriented so that the coating faces the source. They are widely used in precision optics ap...

Laboratories that are concerned with quantitative analysis require stringent calibration of scales. Nowadays, modern scales are used, whose precision is largely dependent on the accuracy of calibration weight in the United States. The accuracy of the scale depends on the grades of stainless steel and other contributing factors. There are different classes of calibrated weight which is defined by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) These calibration weight is available with certificates in the United States . Class E1: These weights are the highest accuracy class, and are intended to use for traceability between national mass standards and OIML class E2 weight and lower. The maximal permissible error from the nominal value at 1 kg is ±0.5 mg. This class of calibration weight is used as primary laboratory reference standard in the United States . Class E2: Weights that are intended for use in the verification or calibration of class F1 weights an...

A calibration is a quantitative comparison. To check the reading of the balance a known weight is kept on the pan. The difference in the measured value and the true value is defined as an error. After calibration of weight in the United States , a certificate is created that reports the balance or scales readings and their comparison with the reference value. Balance calibration and the need to calibrate A balanced and scale calibration is important to achieve accurate weighing results. Weighing with the non-calibrated scale is useless as it hinders the accuracy of balances and scales with time. This may be due to wear and tear that is caused by the regular use and some external factors. On the other hand, balance calibration if inspected regularly enhances the life of the balance or scale and its weighing accuracy. Benefits of balance calibration Calibration weight is done by an authorized provider in the United States offers the following benefits: · ...

Integrating sphere is a versatile optical element that has multiple Lambertian reflections at the inner surface. This reflection results in the homogenous distribution of optical radiation. The radiation source located in two locations; either inside the sphere or in front of the source’s entrance port. Properties of integrating sphere The irradiance of the integrating sphere labsphere is proportional to the total radiant power emitted either by the source inside the sphere or by the one located at the entrance port. The irradiance level does not depend on the geometrical and directional distribution of the primary source if direct illumination of the respective location is prevented. This property makes the instrument useful optical element for the detection of radiant power. The radiance reflected from the inner surface of the sphere and shielded from the direct illumination, is constant in its directional distribution and independent of the specific location wher...

It is often required to transform light output from an optical fiber into a free-space collimated beam. Although to carry out this task, a simple collimation lens is sufficient, but it is necessary to fix the fiber end firmly at one end at the fixed distance from the lens. To fix the fiber at one end, fiber collimator is used. It is placed at the distance approximately equal to the focal length of the lens. Fiber Collimator is a passive device that combines the fiber and lens for collimating the light that is coming from the fiber, or for launching collimated light into the fiber. Features of Fiber Collimator ·          Fiber Collimator is made from a curved mirror or Collimating lens Thorlabs . ·          The light source in fiber collimator is placed at its focus that makes divergent light into a parallel beam or couple the parallel beam into the fiber. ·     ...

Water baths and chiller plays a very important role in the laboratory of pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, research institutes etc. But most often it is placed at one corner of the lab and is not taken care of. Since lab water chiller and bath plays an important role in various laboratory tasks therefore it is essential to maintain its proper functioning. Whenever a task involving heating and cooling of chemicals is to be done in the lab, the role of water bath and chiller comes into play. A proper maintenance of water bath and chiller is very important as a small error in the unit can result in loss of thousands of dollars. How often should you check the functioning of the equipment? A cleaning and maintaining of water chiller and bath employs little efforts and energy. Cleaning of air, fluid or condenser of the water bath is found to be enough to maintain its proper functioning. •             Fitters and water level m...

It is often required to transform light output from an optical fiber into a free-space collimated beam. Although to carry out this task, a simple collimation lens is sufficient, but it is necessary to fix the fiber end firmly at one end at the fixed distance from the lens. To fix the fiber at one end, fiber collimator is used. It is placed at the distance approximately equal to the focal length of the lens. Fiber Collimator is a passive device that combines the fiber and lens for collimating the light that is coming from the fiber, or for launching collimated light into the fiber. Features of Fiber Collimator ·      Fiber Collimator is made from a curved mirror or Collimating lens Thorlabs . ·      The light source in fiber collimator is placed at its focus that makes divergent light into a parallel beam or couple the parallel beam into the fiber. ·          It is available at a differ...

What is Calibration? Calibration is a process intimately associated with analytical balances. It determines the relationship between the displayed value and true mass by comparing their value with the known mass. It helps in determining the accuracy of an analytical balance or precision scale. Calibration is essential as it validates the precision of the weighing measurements. It also increases the longevity of the weighing scale and helps in producing valid data during rigorous testing. While shopping for calibration weight scale in the United States you come across the internal calibration and external calibration scale option. It is quite challenging to choose between two options. To make a smart decision you must have a complete knowledge of each type, the difference between them and their pros and cons. Read the following information and choose the calibration weight option in the United States smartly External Calibration External calibration is the...