Vernier Tech Info Library TIL #810

Question

Can Vernier software be used to collect data from spectrophotometers?

Answer

There are three options for the collection of data from spectrophotometers using Vernier software:

(1) Ocean Optics and Vernier Spectrometers. We now have support for a variety of Ocean Optics and Ocean Optics-powered spectrometers in our Logger Pro software (v. 3.4.5 or newer). Our Logger Pro software supports many of these devices, including the Vernier Spectrometer (V-SPEC), the Red Tide Spectromter (SPRT-VIS), the Red Tide Emission Spectrometer (w/o cuvette holder-light source, SPES-VIS), Ocean Optics VIS-NIR Spectrometer (new 4000 model), SP-VIS-NIR), and Ocean Optics UV-VIS Spectrometer (new 4000 model), SP-UV-VIS. These devices include full USB support, and connect directly to the computer's USB port (not to a port on the Vernier LabPro interface). Go to www.vernier.com/spectrometer for further details.

(2) Spectro Pro software has been designed to gather data from the Thermospectronic Spec 20 series spectrophotometers (Spectronic 20, 20+, 20D, and 20D+) and the 20 Genesys spectrophotometer, as well as the Flinn Scientific Spectrophotometer. Appropriate cables are needed to attach the spectrophotometer to the computer or computer interface:
--If using a spectronic 20D or D+ (digital signal): You may connect directly to a computer serial port using a Vernier Spectrophotometer Cable (SPC-IBM for PC or SPC-MAC cable for Mac). If the only available port is a USB port, use a Keyspan USB Serial Adapter.
--If using a Spectronic 20 Genesys (digital signal only): You may connect directly to a computer serial port using a Vernier Spectrophotometer Cable (GEN-PC cable for PC or a GEN-MAC cable for Mac).
--If using a Flinn Scientific Spectrophotometer (digital signal only): You may connect directly to a computer serial port using a Vernier SPC-FLI cable for PC or a Vernier SPC-FLM cable for Mac.
--If using a Spectronic 20 or 20+ (analog signal only): You must connect the spectrophotometer to a computer interface (with Lab Pro, use an SPC-BTA cable; with a ULI or Serial Box Interface, connect to DIN1 (ULI) or Port 1 (SBI) with an SPC-DIN cable).
Connect the interface to the computer using the supplied serial cable. On the Macintosh you can use any serial port, including the modem or printer port. On the PC you can use the COM1, 2, 3 or 4 serial ports. LabPro users can also use the USB port and cable on a USB-equipped PC or Macintosh.

(3) Logger Pro software can be used to collect data from Spectronic 20 (ANALOG ONLY!) series spectrophotometers (Spec 20, Spec 20+, Spec 20D, and Spec 20D+).The Colorimeter folder in Logger Pro contains experiment files for data collection and graphs of Absorbance vs. Concentration and Absorbance vs.Time.

Spectronic 20 series spectrophotometer models all feature analog outputs, and are the ONLY spectrophotometers that are compatible with Logger Pro. Flinn, Fisher, Spec 21 and Genesys spectrophotometers are not supported by this program, nor are other spectrophotometers with digital readouts (with the exception of the Specs 20D and D+, which have both analog and digital capabilities).

A cable is required (Order Code SPC-DIN for Serial Box Interface or ULI, or SPC-BTA for LabPro) to connect the spectrophotometer to the interface.

FINALLY�Some customers may have problems using very old spectrophotometers with the Spectrophotometer Program because the output has a range of 0 to 10 mv instead of the 0 to 1 volt. This change was made to the Spec 20 in the 1970�s at about the time the cases were switched from metal to plastic. In this case, the instrumentation amplifier should be used between the old Spec 20 and the computer interface.

Created by: dgordon on April 16 2001
Last updated by: dholmquist on April 14 2006