Specification Mechelle ® 7500

Integrated with the DiCAM-PRO ICCD camera

UK agents: Photonic Solutions PLC, Gracemount Business Pavilions, 40 Captains Road, Unit A2/A3, Edinburgh, EH17 8QF
Tel: +44 (0)131 664 8122 Fax: +44 (0)131 664 8144 email: sales@psplc.com www.psplc.com
Tel +46-(0)8 6057090 Fax +46-(0)8 6057101 E-mail mechelle@multichannel.se
Visit our homepage - www.multichannel.se - for more sample spectra
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Principles of the Mechelle™

General The optical layout of the Mechelle is a highly optimised large throughput design. The heart of the
system is the patented dispersion balanced order-sorting system, giving rise to a uniform distri-
bution of the segments (spectral orders) on the square shaped CCD, giving an efficient use of the
CCD – surface. The order-sorter works more or less as an achromatic lens, correcting the very non-
uniform segment distribution caused by a single prism order-sorter used in all other echelle
spectrographs on the market. The large wavelength range 200 – 1100 nm is impossible to achieve
without the Mechelle order-sorter, because the segments in the NIR – region cannot be separated
from each other.

Thus only the Mechelle can provide such a wavelength range with full spectral continuity and no
overlapping wavelengths. In fact, the upper wavelength range 1100 nm is set by the CCD –
detector sensitivity only, not by the Mechelle optics that easily can be realised for even larger
wavelength ranges. The low wavelength limit is set by the transmission of air.

Mechelle 7500 optics (patented)

Mounting Patented special stigmatic coma-compensated mounting
Focal length 190 mm
F-number 5.8
Entrance aperture 25 x 50 µm
Characteristics of simultaneously recorded spectrum
Wavelength range 200 – 1100 nm camera dependent (see below)
Total length of spectrum about 400 mm camera dependent (see below)
Optical adjacent order cross-talk <10-3, 10-4 typical
Spectral resolution (λ/∆λ)FWHM 7500 in whole range FWHM (Note 2) and with specified entrance aperture,
camera dependent (see below)

Spectral characteristics for the Mechelle 7500 + DiCAM-PRO combination

Wavelength range 190 – 850 nm simultaneously recorded
Total length of spectrum about 350 mm (Note 1)
Number of spectral channels about 24000 (Note 1)
Width 1 pixel 14 µm in spectral image plane
Height 4 pixel max. selectable in software
Range/channel 16000 counts depending on chosen channel height
(single exposure)
Dynamic range / channel 14 bits (Note 4)
(single exposure)
Spectral resolution (λ/∆λ)FWHM 3500 - 4000 Depending on image intensifier tube. Corresponding to 3 pixels
FWHM (Note 2) and with the above specified entrance aperture.

Resolution FWHM Linear dispersion

Wavelength Resolution Linear 0.220
FWHM dispersion
(nm) (nm) (nm/channels) 0.200

0.180
190 nm 0.042 0.0124
200 nm 0.044 0.0131 0.160

250 nm 0.056 0.0163

0.140
300 nm 0.067 0.0196
350 nm 0.078 0.0229 0.120
400 nm 0.089 0.0261
(nm)

450 nm 0.100 0.0294 0.100

500 nm 0.111 0.0329

0.080
550 nm 0.122 0.0359
600 nm 0.129 0.0392 0.060
650 nm 0.144 0.0425
700 nm 0.156 0.0458 0.040

750 nm 0.167 0.0490 0.020

800 nm 0.178 0.0523
850 nm 0.189 0.0556 0.000
190 230 270 310 350 390 430 470 510 550 590 630 670 710 750 790 830 870 910
Wavelength (nm)

Wavelength calibration
Procedure Through Mechelle software using appropriate using a low-pressure discharge lamp
Accuracy Better than λ/50000 in specified wavelength range (Note 3)
Stability Better than λ/50000

Information furnished by Multichannel Instruments AB is believed to be accurate reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external
appearance are subject to change without notice. Mechelle, FindELMO, TracEM, ListEM and CSR are trademarks of Multichannel Instruments AB. Other products and company names mentioned herein may
be the trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2001 Multichannel Instruments AB. All rights reserved. Printed in Sweden, DICAM/M7500-19/03/01.
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Radiometric calibration

Procedure Through Mechelle Software using appropriate calibration sources

Detector system
Camera manufacturer PCO Computer Optics GmbH
Camera model DiCAM-PRO – ICCD (image intensified camera)
System data Sensitivity Single photon detection
Gate unit Exposure time 5 ns…(in 5 ns steps)…30 ns…(in 10 ns steps)…
100 ns … (in 20 ns steps)…1000 s
Delay time 0…(in 1 ns steps)…50 ns…(in 5 ns steps)
100 ns … (in 20 ns steps)…1000 s
Optional: 3 ns exposure time
Max. pulsing frequency: 4 kHz
Exposure time CCD 1 ms … 1000 s adjustable
For phosphor integration automatically triggered by gate unit.
Double shutter In this mode two images with full resolution are captured
CCD – sensor SONY CCD-Interline, size: 8.6 x 6.9 mm
Number of pixels 1280 x 1024 pixels
Pixel size 6.7 x 6.7 µm pixels (appr. 15 x 15 µm with the image intensifier)
Dynamic range 12 bits digitisation / pixel
Read-out rate 12.5 Mpixels / s
Read-out noise at 12.5 MHz 7 … 8 e-
A/D conversion factor 5 e- / count
Cooling Two-stage peltier cooler with forced air cooking, regulated to –12° C.
Optional water cooling (-25° C).

Mechanical realisation
Spectrograph dimensions 350 x 170 x 205 mm
(L x W x H)
System dimensions with camera 650 x 215 x 275 mm
(L x W x H)
Spectrograph weight 9 kg
System weight with camera 11 kg
Power unit < 1 kg (standard from camera supplier)

Software and PC control

Operating system Mechelle user interface is compatible with Windows® 9x/NT.
Data storage All data are stored as ASCII files or SPC (GRAMS/32) – format
Software compatibility GRAMS/32 and all other spectrum viewing software capable of importing ASCII - files
Main Mechelle Software features " Initialisation of the system.
" Instrument control.
" Calibration, using a spectral line source and associated wavelength files. The spectral line
positions of a few (about 3 – 7) lines are measured accurately and calibration constants are
fitted and stored. Subsequent compilation of spectrum is based on these constants. Calibration
wavelength files and calibration source recommendations are provided.
" Adding several spectra / read-out
" DDE of recorded spectra to the GRAMS/32 spectroscopic software. The software for
operation and control of the system includes:
" Definition of calibration wavelengths and calibration conditions, channel width and height,
background correction conditions, etc.
" Radiometric calibration procedure, for user specified calibration sources.
" Recording of spectrum composed of a pre-selected number of integrations. After each
integration the read-out of the CCD is made and the spectrum is built channel by channel in a
compilation procedure.
" Free running continues recording at 1 – 3 spectra/s (depending on camera)
" Complete time-resolved recordings, with delay and gate time selection, including automatic
delay time stepping

Information furnished by Multichannel Instruments AB is believed to be accurate reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external
appearance are subject to change without notice. Mechelle, FindELMO, TracEM, ListEM and CSR are trademarks of Multichannel Instruments AB. Other products and company names mentioned herein may
be the trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2001 Multichannel Instruments AB. All rights reserved. Printed in Sweden, DICAM/M7500-19/03/01.
M e c h e l l e 7 5 0 0 / D i C AM - P R O I C C D I n w a ve l e n g t h a n d t i m e ™ Page 4 of 4

Minimum PC

Pentium II® processor, >300 MHz with 64 MB RAM, 1 GB HD, 16 speed CD-ROM, super VGA
monitor with high colour (16 bit) display, 800 x 600 resolution. Windows® 9x/NT.

Recommended PC
Pentium III® processor, >600 MHz with 128 MB RAM, 3 GB HD, 4 MB graphic memory, 16
speed CD-ROM, super VGA monitor with high colour (16 bit) display, 800 x 600 resolution.
Microsoft Windows® 9x/NT. Compatible laserprinter recommended.

Optional accessories (see our homepage for updates)

FindELMO™ Spectral identification add-on analysis module to GRAMS/32. Database software for finding
elements and molecules in the displayed spectrum.
GRAMS/32 Display and analysis software for post-processing of spectra. The complete spectroscopy software
Spectroscopic Software Suite suite for all your data importing, processing, viewing, organising, and accessing needs. Compatible
with Windows® 9x/NT.
GRAMS/32 3D Extend the power of GRAMS/32 with a real-time, interactive 3D graphic visualisation application
capable of animating data sets with millions of data points in real time with great ease and speed.
Mechelle Calibration Source Low-pressure discharge source, of fluorescent tube type
Mechelle Collector/Collimator To match the performance of modern broadband spectrographs, a unique UV - NIR achromatic
collecting/collimating lens system has been designed. It is optimised to ensure that all wavelengths
in the range 200 – 1100 nm are collected similarly into the entrance fibre of the spectrograph.
Adjusted for all Mechelle models.
Collector/Collimator alignment For laser aiming of the collector/collimator. A very useful device is the aiming laser that can be
laser system coupled to the input fiber. Observing the laser spot on the object enables easy adjustment of focus
and orientation.
Mechelle UV Enhancer Enhancing region 230 – 400 nm. Other regions are available.
Extra FO input cable With SMA – connectors
Integrated sphere 2 m with SMA connectors with FO input

Regulatory compliance
The Mechelle spectrographs comply with the EMC and LV Directives of the European Union.

Mechelle warranty
Warranty The Mechelle spectrographs including their accessories have one (1) year warranty according to
our standard terms and conditions.

Notes
Note 1 The spectrum is composed of segments selected from each order so as to give spectral continuity
and optimal efficiency in each segment. The total length of the spectrum is the length of all these
segments linked together. When the spectrum is compiled this length is recorded in channels, the
number of which is given by [total spectrum length]/[channel width].
Note 2 As the spectrum is composed of several segments from different orders, the dispersion, being
proportional to the spectral order, varies. As the channel width (1 pixel) and the width of the slit
image are constant, an important consequence is that the quantity λ/∆λ (where ∆λ in general is the
wavelength equivalent of a linear quantity on the detector surface) is approximately constant over
the whole range. This is an advantage in comparison to single-order spectral recording where the
constant dispersion gives a spectral resolution that decreases with the wavelength.
Note 3 The calibration accuracy and stability is related to spatial accuracies in the focal plane, and is
therefore an approximately constant fraction of the wavelength for the reasons outlined in Note 2.
Note 4 The dynamic range given, is valid for a single integration with the specified spectral channel
dimensions. The dynamic range D of a recorded spectral channel is in general expected to follow
the relation.
D = (H x W x I)½ x Dp
H = channel height (pixels)
I = number of integrations
W = channel width (pixels)
Dp = dynamic range of a single pixel
Note 5 The dynamic range is defined as the ratio of the maximum unsaturated signal to RMS dark noise.

Information furnished by Multichannel Instruments AB is believed to be accurate reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external
appearance are subject to change without notice. Mechelle, FindELMO, TracEM, ListEM and CSR are trademarks of Multichannel Instruments AB. Other products and company names mentioned herein may
be the trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright © 2001 Multichannel Instruments AB. All rights reserved. Printed in Sweden, DICAM/M7500-19/03/01.