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Go Direct® Emissions Spectrometer User Manual

Order Code: GDX-SPEC-EM

The Go Direct Emissions Spectrometer is a portable spectrometer designed to measure emissions from a wide variety of light sources.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or industrial testing of any kind.

What's Included

  • Go Direct Emissions Spectrometer
  • Mini USB cable
  • USB Power Adapter

Compatible Software and Interfaces

Choose a platform below to see its compatibility requirements.

LabQuest
InterfaceLabQuest App
LabQuest 3Full support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. Connect this sensor via USB. Wireless data collection is not supported.
Computers
Software
InterfaceSpectral AnalysisGraphical AnalysisLogger Pro
No interface requiredFull support 1IncompatibleFull support 2
LabQuest 3IncompatibleFull support 3Incompatible
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)IncompatibleFull support 3Incompatible

Compatibility Notes

  1. For Bluetooth® connectivity, only computers running Windows 10 or Mac OS X 10.10 or newer are supported. The computer must also have a compatible Bluetooth 4.0+ radio.
  2. Connect this sensor via USB. Wireless data collection is not supported.
  3. Connect this sensor directly to a computer or Chromebook via a USB or wireless Bluetooth® connection and use with Spectral Analysis App for best results. Alternatively, this sensor is fully supported when used via USB with LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 when the LabQuest is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
Chromebook
Software
InterfaceSpectral AnalysisGraphical Analysis
No interface requiredFull supportIncompatible
LabQuest 3IncompatibleFull support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)IncompatibleFull support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. Connect this sensor directly to a computer or Chromebook via a USB or wireless Bluetooth® connection and use with Spectral Analysis App for best results. Alternatively, this sensor is fully supported when used via USB with LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 when the LabQuest is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
iOS
Software
InterfaceSpectral AnalysisGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
No interface requiredFull supportIncompatibleIncompatible
LabQuest 3IncompatibleFull support 1 2Full support 1 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)IncompatibleFull support 1 2Full support 1 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. iOS and Androidâ„¢ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
  2. Connect this sensor directly to an iOS or Android™ device via wireless Bluetooth® connection and use with Spectral Analysis App for best results. Alternatively, this sensor is fully supported when used via USB with LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 when the LabQuest is connected to an iOS or Android device via Wireless Data Sharing.
Android
Software
InterfaceSpectral AnalysisGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
No interface requiredFull supportIncompatibleIncompatible
LabQuest 3IncompatibleFull support 1 2Full support 1 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)IncompatibleFull support 1 2Full support 1 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. iOS and Androidâ„¢ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
  2. Connect this sensor directly to an iOS or Android™ device via wireless Bluetooth® connection and use with Spectral Analysis App for best results. Alternatively, this sensor is fully supported when used via USB with LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 when the LabQuest is connected to an iOS or Android device via Wireless Data Sharing.

Getting Started

Please see the following link for platform-specific connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/gdx-spec-em

Bluetooth Connection

USB Connection

  1. Install Vernier Spectral Analysis® on your computer, Chromebook™, or mobile device. See www.vernier.com/spectral-analysis for Spectral Analysis availability.
  2. To power the Bluetooth radio, connect the spectrometer to the USB Power Adapter or to a powered USB hub. The Bluetooth® LED will blink. Note: Do not plug the USB into a computer USB port to run with Bluetooth wireless technology.
  3. Launch Spectral Analysis.
  4. Click or tap Connect a Spectrometer. Select your Go Direct Emissions Spectrometer from the list of Discovered Wireless Devices. Your spectrometer's ID is located near the barcode on the label. The Bluetooth LED on the sensor will now glow blue (no longer flashing).
  5. Click or tap Done to enter data-collection mode. You are now ready to continue your experiment.
  1. Connect the spectrometer to the USB port.
  2. Launch the software. Options include

    • Computer: Spectral Analysis or Logger Pro 3

    • Chromebook: Spectral Analysis

    • LabQuest: LabQuest App

    • Mobile Device: Spectral Analysis

  1. The software will identify the spectrometer and enter data-collection mode. You are now ready to continue your experiment.

 

Connecting the Spectrometer

See the following link for up-to-date connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/gdx-spec-em

Connecting via Bluetooth

Ready to connect Connect the USB to the USB power adapter or to a powered USB hub. Blue LED next to Bluetooth icon flashes when sensor is ready to connect.
Connected Blue LED next to Bluetooth icon is solid when sensor is connected via Bluetooth wireless technology.

Connecting via USB

Connected LED next to USB icon is solid green.

Using the Spectrometer with Spectral Analysis

You may use your spectrometer to measure the emission spectrum of a light source such as an LED or a gas discharge tube. To do so, you may wish to purchase an optical fiber assembly (www.vernier.com/vsp-em-fiber) though this is not required.

Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user manual.

Measure Intensity of Light Emissions

Connect the Optical Fiber to the spectrometer (optional). Intensity is reported in relative units with a range of 0–1. Note: The spectrometer is not calibrated for measuring absolute intensity.

  1. Launch Spectral Analysis.
  2. Connect the spectrometer following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user manual.
  3. Select the appropriate Emissions experiment from the listed options and follow the prompts in the app. Intensity is a relative measure with a range of 0–1. Note: The Spectrometer is not calibrated for measuring intensity.
  4. Aim the tip of the optical fiber at a light source. Start data collection. Click or tap the Stop button to end data collection.

If the spectrum maxes out (flat and wide peaks at a value of 1), increase the distance between the light source and the tip of the optical fiber cable or reduce the integration time (see the Change the Settings in Spectral Analysis section).

To adjust the integration time, click or tap the gear. Set the integration time to a suitable value.

Change the Settings in Spectral Analysis

  1. Click or tap the gear to show the Spectrometer Settings dialog.
  2. There are three parameters listed in the dialog box:
    • Integration Time: This is similar to the shutter speed of a camera. When using the Intensity or Advanced Experiment modes, you can modify this value to decrease or increase the amount of light hitting the detector and the signal spectral output.
      Under some circumstances, you may want to intentionally saturate some peaks in order to display weaker features. For example, in viewing a hydrogen spectrum, you may safely increase the Sample Time (which will saturate the red 656 nm line) in order to see the blue lines near 400 nm.
    • Wavelength Smoothing: This is the number of adjacent readings on either side of a given value that is used to calculate an average value.
    • Temporal Averaging: This is the number of readings taken at a given wavelength to calculate an average reading.
  3. Select the Calibrate button to recalibrate your spectrometer at any time. This is useful in a well-lit area where you may want to subtract a baseline reading.

Using the Spectrometer with LabQuest

You may use your spectrometer to measure the emission spectrum of a light source such as an LED or a gas discharge tube. To do so, you may wish to purchase an optical fiber assembly (www.vernier.com/vsp-em-fiber) though this is not required.

Connect the spectrometer to LabQuest via USB.

Measure Intensity of Light Emissions

Connect the Optical Fiber to the spectrometer (optional). Intensity is reported in relative units with a range of 0–1. Note: The spectrometer is not calibrated for measuring absolute intensity.

  1. Aim the sensor opening or the tip of the optical fiber cable at a light source.
  2. Start data collection.
  3. Tap the red Stop button to end data collection.

If the spectrum saturates, displaying flat and wide peaks near 1.0, increase the distance between the light source and the sensor or tip of the optical fiber cable. You can also adjust data-collection parameters by tapping Sensors and choosing Data Collection. Reduce the Sample Time until peaks are less than 1.0.

Under some circumstances, you may want to intentionally saturate some peaks in order to display weaker features. For example, in viewing a hydrogen spectrum, you may safely increase the Sample Time (which will saturate the red 656 nm line) in order to see the blue lines near 400 nm.

Using the Spectrometer with Logger Pro

You may use your spectrometer to measure the emission spectrum of a light source such as an LED or a gas discharge tube. To do so, you may wish to purchase an optical fiber assembly (www.vernier.com/vsp-em-fiber) though this is not required.

Connect the spectrometer to Logger Pro via USB.

Measure Intensity of Light Emissions

Connect the Optical Fiber to the spectrometer (optional). Intensity is reported in relative units with a range of 0–1. Note: The spectrometer is not calibrated for measuring absolute intensity.

  1. Aim the sensor opening or the tip of the optical fiber cable at a light source.
  2. Click .
  3. Click to end data collection.

If the spectrum saturates, displaying flat and wide peaks near 1.0, increase the distance between the light source and the sensor or tip of the optical fiber cable. You can also adjust data-collection parameters by choosing Set Up Sensors â–º Spectrometer from the Experiment menu. Reduce the Sample Time until peaks are less than 1.0

Under some circumstances, you may want to intentionally saturate some peaks in order to display weaker features. For example, in viewing a hydrogen spectrum, you may safely increase the Sample Time (which will saturate the red 656 nm line) in order to see the blue lines near 400 nm.

Changing the Settings in Logger Pro Spectrometer Dialog Box

The Spectrometer dialog box lists all the settings for the device. To display this box choose Set Up Sensors â–º Spectrometer from the Experiment menu.

For most experiments, the default settings work well.

There are four parameters listed in the dialog box.

  • Sample Time: This is similar to the shutter speed of a camera. Logger Pro has a stored sample time. You may need to change the sample time manually.
  • Wavelength Smoothing: This is the number of adjacent readings on either side of a given value that is used to calculate an average value. Large values will broaden sharp peaks.
  • Samples to Average: This is the number of scans taken to calculate an average scan. Use a value more than 1 to reduce noise.
  • Wavelength Range: The range is determined by the type of spectrometer in use.

By clicking on the spectrum icon in this dialog box, you will gain access to two options: Configure Collection… and Go to Support Web Page. You will also see that the calibration is set to Intensity <Computer>. Click on an item to select it.

Overlaying Data on the Same Graph

You may wish to bring data from another Logger Pro 3 file into a current file. This is easily done. Using the example of testing the fluorescent lighting in a classroom for the presence of mercury, follow these steps in Logger Pro.

  1. Measure the emission spectrum of a fluorescent lamp.
  2. Open the File menu and choose Import From â–º Logger Pro file.
  3. From the Experiment folder, open Sample Data â–º Physics â–º Gas Discharge Spectra â–º Mercury.
  4. Place your cursor anywhere on the Logger Pro graph screen and double-click. In the Graph Options dialog box, click the Options tab.
  5. In the Y-axis Columns box, open Run 1 and select the check box next to Intensity. Click .

Specifications

Dimensions

10.1 cm × 7.0 cm × 4.5 cm

Power supply

USB powered

Detector

Linear CCD

Wavelength range

350 nm–900 nm

Wavelength reporting interval

1 nm

Optical resolution*

3 nm

Typical wavelength accuracy†

±2 nm

*as determined by the full width of half maximum of Hydrogen 434 nm peak

†as determined by Hydrogen peaks. For best accuracy use an optical fiber.

Safety

  • No user-serviceable parts are in this device. Do not attempt to open or modify this device. Contact Vernier for all repairs and service.
  • Handle the device with care. This instrument can be damaged if it is dropped.
  • Do not use this instrument if it is damaged in any way. Contact Vernier Technical Support for troubleshooting and technical assistance.
  • Do not use this instrument for clinical or diagnostic procedures.

Troubleshooting

Find troubleshooting tips here: www.vernier.com/til/3157

Repair Information

  • Contact Vernier for all repairs and service.
  • No user-serviceable parts are in this device. Do not attempt to open the case of the device. Doing so will create an unsafe operating condition and will void the product warranty.

If you have watched the related product video(s), followed the troubleshooting steps, and are still having trouble with your Go Direct Emissions Spectrometer, contact Vernier Technical Support at support@vernier.com or call 888-837-6437. Support specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for repair.

Accessories/ Replacements

Item Order Code

Vernier Emissions Fiber

VSP-EM-FIBER

Mini USB Cable

CB-USB-MINI

Warranty

Warranty information for this product can be found on the Support tab at www.vernier.com/gdx-spec-em/#support

General warranty information can be found at www.vernier.com/warranty

Contact Support

Fill out our online support form or call us toll-free at 1-888-837-6437.

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