Andor Spectroscopy Workshop

Time

Session

Session 1: Introductory Session

Registration: Room: ENG 011

Welcome, Introduction, Workshop Goals

General Spectrograph

This session is an introductory session that will discuss the basics of spectrometer and their components. The session will cover the following topics:

• Components in general spectrographs
• Different spectrograph configurations
  • Czerny-Turner
  • Echelle
  • Transmission
• Focal length, resolution and bandpass.
• Gratings – interplay between resolution and bandwidth

Concept of Sensitivity for Different Scientific Camera Technologies 

Overview of different of 2D detector technologies and their benefits

• CCD – including front/back illumination, AR coatings, optical etaloning
• Electron Multiplying EMCCD
• Scientific sCMOS
• Intensified fast-gated ICCDs
• InGaAs Short Wave Infrared Detectors
• Sources of noise and influence on Sensitivity, and how sensitivity can be optimised/maximised.
• How to interpret signal-to-noise ratio curves

Coffee Break

Scientific Imaging Cameras

This session will cover the basics of imaging cameras that have a wide range of applications including astronomy and spectroscopy. The session will cover the following:

• Sensitivity - in the context of imaging cameras
• Field of view
• Speed
• Shutter technologies

Session 2: Advanced Spectrograph User Session

Lunch & Registration of new arrivals

Hands-on Kymera Presentation

A dual session which gives researchers the opportunity to interact directly with our technical experts to gain more hands-on experience and advise.

Czerny-Turner Spectrograph Advanced Optical Design

Advanced description of Czerny-Turner spectrographs from a physicist from Andor’s Engineering Team, responsible for running Zemax light simulations and working on spectrograph designs. To include advanced topics, such as aberrations and how to maximise the results from your spectrograph.

Kymera Spectrograph/Camera Performance Sheet Explained

Understand how the quality and reproducibility of our spectrographs is measured, and how to relate the specification sheet to spectrograph performance.

Coffee Break

Introduction to Intensified Camera Technology for Ultrafast Gated Applications

• Technology background – image intensifier architecture and benefits for time-resolved applications down to nanosecond timeframes and ultra-low-light applications
• Gating and basic timing diagrams
• Sensitivity and dynamic range
• Application examples – LIBS, LIF, Plasma Diagnostics…

Round Table Discussion Andor Technical Team and Researchers

This roundtable presents an opportunity for Researchers to interact directly with our technical experts. This event is meant to encourage open discussions around topics such as:

• Improved functionalities or ease-of-use requirements with your existing equipment
• Application & instrument challenges that might limit your research today and how we may overcome these with new technology developments.
• Challenges with new or existing applications

Your experience & feedback as occasional or seasoned spectroscopy users is invaluable and could help shape future development that might benefit you and your research.

If you have a burning topic you want to discuss, please share with us before the event (please email folusho.balogun@oxinst.com)

Closing Comments