In response to recent moves by major front-illuminated CCD manufacturers to obsolete some commonly used CCD arrays, Avantes (Apeldoorn, Netherlands) has introduced the AvaSpec-ULS2048CL-EVO microspectrometer with a CMOS detector. A smart spectrometer with native gigabit Ethernet, USB3, and RS232 communication options, the CMOS-based microspectrometer operates from 200 to 1100 nm with resolution as low as 0.06 nm full-width half-maximum (FWHM).
Compared to CCD-based microspectrometers with a 2048-pixel CCD array and typical integration times of 1–2 ms at minimum, the new device has a 2048-pixel CMOS array that supports 20 μs integration times to better support high-speed applications such as pulsed source measurement, laser characterization, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Avantes designed the microspectrometer to leverage inherent CMOS advantages such as native UV response from 200 to 400 nm, superior signal-to-noise, and greater near-infrared sensitivity above 900 nm. Inherent to CMOS detector technology is the provision of direct charge conversion without any transfer process time, and it also eliminates blooming and smearing—inherent weaknesses of CCD technologies. Avantes will continue to offer CCD-based instruments through the end of life of current front-illuminated detectors. However, the company believes that the new CMOS technology will be a superior replacement for most spectroscopy applications. Reference: www.avantes.com/products/spectrometers/starline/item/1035-avaspec-uls-2048clevo.
