Allows a single spectrometer to automatically switch between up to ten different sampling devices
Galaxy Scientific Inc. announces their latest product in their line of portable spectroscopy systems. Galaxy Scientific’s Fiber Optic Multiplexer allows a single spectrometer to automatically switch between up to ten different sampling devices enabling near-infrared measurements from multiple sampling points or multiple product streams.
The Multiplexer switches the input and output fibers from the spectrometer using a rotary steering mechanism. It is designed to accept standard SMA905 low-OH optical fiber inputs and is designed to switch 600um solid core fiber. Smaller core fiber or larger core fiber bundles are also compatible. The multiplexer is factory configurable at the time of order to have any number of channels between 2 and 10 and more channels can be added after purchase. The compact and rugged design allows the unit to be placed close to the sample points and distant from the spectrometer, reducing the cost of long fiber optic runs while still protecting the sensitive instrumentation.
Product features include: • Factory configurable from 2 to 10 channels.; more channels can be added • Available in single or dual configuration for switching a single fiber or dual fiber (input/output) setup • 24V / 3A DC input with locking power connector • USB (virtual serial port), RS-422/RS-485 interface with simple ASCII command set
• LED channel indicator • High precision microstepping motors with advanced motion control driver • Accepts SMA905 fiber optic connections, compatible with most commercial near-infrared probes and spectrometers • Compatible with Spectral Sage, Symbion, and other process control software packages
Galaxy Scientific’s Multiplexer can be coupled with either the QuasIR 2000 fiber optic or QuasIR 2000E emission FT-NIR systems to provide a cost-effective solution to measurement needs at multiple sample points. The multiplexer is also compatible with other major NIR spectrometers.
Free Printed Poster or PDF for your Lab, Office, or Conference Room
Galaxy Scientific, a manufacturer of FT-NIR instrumentation for industrial use, is pleased to offer a Chart of Near-Infrared Absorption Bands in printed poster or PDF format.
This chart shows the wavenumber and wavelength ranges corresponding to common NIR absorbance peaks used in optical spectroscopy. The chart covers the optical range of 4000 cm-1 to 14000 cm-1 (or 2500 nm to 700 nm) and shows the combination bands as well as first, second, and third overtones for common functional groups. The functional groups covered include the following: CH, CH2, CH3, CHO, NH2, OH, ArOh, ArCH, CONH2, and H2O. Use these common functional groups to look up where to expect near-infrared absorptions in edible oils, polymers, sugars, and other organic materials.
If you would like a printed version of this poster to hang on your lab, office, or conference room wall, please simply fill out the form below and click send. Sorry, but we can only offer this to people in the USA and Canada.
Galaxy Scientific is partnering with Quantum Analytics for a live webinar on the topic of using FT-NIR spectroscopy for raw material identification through packaging.
When raw materials are purchased, it is critically important to verify that the correct substances have been received for quality, regulatory, and economic reasons. Often the incoming materials need to be opened, sent to a lab, and tested while inventory waits to be cleared for use.
Near Infrared spectroscopy offers a simple and reliable way of verifying the content and quality of incoming materials. This helps streamline existing processes or set the foundation of new incoming quality initiatives.
Recently, innovations in near-infrared processing algorithms have mitigated the need to open incoming material bags, allowing FT-NIR to scan materials through the packaging.
Our partner, Galaxy Scientific will demonstrate the usefulness of FT-NIR spectroscopy for basic incoming material verification and show the new ability to sample through plastic and paper packaging.
By attending our webinar, you will learn:
Basic use of FT-NIR spectroscopy to verify incoming raw materials
Qualitative and quantitative algorithms used in material identification
Advanced methods used to scan through plastic and paper bags without opening them
Near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers measure the absorption or reflection of infrared light in the wavelength range 700 nm to 2500 nm (14,300 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1). For most applications, the range 1000 nm to 2500 nm (10,000 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1) is most useful; overtone and combination vibrations involving X-H bonds, (where is X is most often C, N, or O), absorb light with generally stronger absorption at the longer wavelengths. Typical pathlengths for transmission measurements, or penetration depths for reflection measurements, are in the range of one to a few millimeters. This fast measurement makes NIR a technique very well suited to the analysis of inhomogeneous samples.
NIR spectroscopy is not a primary technique so it must be calibrated using samples that have been analyzed using a primary technique. The motivation to do this is that once calibrated, a NIR measurement takes only a few seconds, requires no solvents or other consumables, and can provide values for multiple parameters with only a single measurement. NIR measurements can also be made online using fiber optic cables, enabling online measurements with probes inserted directly into process streams, or via non-contact measurements of products on conveyors, etc.
Different Type of Spectrometers
NIR spectrometers can be broadly categorized into four types: filter, scanning monochromator, polychromator (a.k.a. diode array), and Fourier transform.
Filter instruments are the simplest, using only a few discreet filters to sample different wavelengths. They are occasionally utilized for simple measurements, such as moisture, but are not suitable for more difficult or general applications.
Scanning monochromators were the earliest type of general purpose instrument and are still widely used today because they are easy to engineer and manufacture. They work by dispersing light off of a grating and selecting the wavelength of interest by sending it through a rectangular slit. Yet they do not have any other benefits when compared to Fourier transform instruments.
Polychromator (diode array) instruments are also dispersive instruments that measure all the wavelengths simultaneously using an array of detectors. They are very fast and well suited to measurements of rapid moving objects or processes. Since the number of elements in the detector is fixed, either the spectral range or the spectral resolution is limited. Throughput is also limited by the presence of a rectangular slit before the grating.
Fourier transform instruments are the latest type of spectrometer to be widely adopted for NIR spectroscopy, although they have been used for over fifty years for measurements at longer wavelengths in the mid-infrared. They do not produce the spectrum directly, but rather measure an interference pattern that is generated by the light combining with itself in an interferometer, using an interferometer, which is then Fourier transformed to obtain the spectrum.
Benefits of FT-NIR Spectrometers
There are several benefits to this type of spectrometer. Fourier transform spectrometers have a wide wavelength range and, at the same time, high resolution. The resolution can also be varied depending on the application. They have a very high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) because they have high optical throughput (throughput advantage, or Jacquinot’s advantage) and measure all wavelengths simultaneously (the multiplex, or Fellgett’s advantage). Fourier transform spectrometers also use a laser as an internal reference to control the interferometer, resulting in unmatched wavelength precision and accuracy, even over very long time frames and changes in temperature (Connes advantage). Lastly, the instrument line shape of Fourier transform spectrometers depends almost entirely on the distance the interferometer scans and the mathematics of the Fourier transform, rather than optical alignment. This means that there is very little difference between spectra from different instruments, making calibration transfer relatively easy, even between instruments from different manufacturers.
Considerations When Purchasing
There are several considerations when purchasing a NIR spectrometer, though not all may be applicable in every case. These include performance, spectral range, ease of use, available software features, ruggedness, portability, cost, and technical support.
Performance
As previously stated, FT-NIR spectrometers have the advantages of very high SNR and high resolution. It is the only type of NIR spectrometer that can offer these benefits at the same time. High SNR translates directly into lower limits of detection and quantitation. Higher resolution means the spectra have a higher information content, which often leads to better discrimination between spectra of different materials or more robust quantitative models. Also, the wide spectral range of FT-NIR spectrometers includes the longer wavelengths that are critical for certain calibrations.
FT-NIR systems also exhibit outstanding stability of the wavelength calibration, even over long time periods and large temperature swings. This means calibrations are more stable over time, and easier to transfer between instruments.
Galaxy Scientific’s QuasIR™ series of portable FT-NIR spectrometers is designed to offer the industry a new kind of NIR analysis solution, one that brings together the portability required to move FT-NIR analysis closer to point-of-need, combined with the unmatched spectroscopic performance for the fastest and most accurate results.
Easy-to-use Software for Method Development
Galaxy Scientific’s Spectral Sage™ 4 has a user-friendly interface designed to carry out daily near-infrared analysis even for users that are new to spectroscopy. An easy-to-use toolkit, Spectral Sage features rich functions for advanced method development. This software is designed to maximize productivity at all levels. Combined with powerful algorithms, Spectral Sage 4 makes implementation fast and accessible, allowing users to collect, view, process, and store data obtained from the instrument. New features streamline the user experience and enable new capabilities to produce better results when converting near-infrared spectra into actionable results. When paired with any of Galaxy’s QuasIR series FT-NIR spectrometers, Spectral Sage 4 is both powerful and easy-to-use.
Galaxy Scientific
Galaxy Scientific is specialized in the development and marketing of innovative, high-performance portable analytical instrumentation. We have developed a new generation of high-performance field portable platforms which combine next-generation optics with advanced software algorithms providing breakthrough solutions to the most challenging point-of-need applications. Samples can then be analyzed in the field, rather than be taken off-site to separate laboratories.
Galaxy Scientific is committed to providing the best value in FT-NIR data collection and analysis.
Galaxy Scientific is looking forward to EAS 2018 where we will present our FT-NIR spectrometers and applications! The Eastern Analytical Symposium and Exposition (EAS) is held each year to provide professional scientists and students continuing education in the analytical and allied sciences through the presentation of symposia of papers, workshops, and short courses. An exposition of apparatus and supplies, including near infrared spectrometers and accessories, allied to these sciences is held concurrently with the symposia.
Galaxy Scientific will be presenting our FT-NIR technology and applications at this joint event hosted by the Asian NIR Symposium and a biannual Chinese National NIR Conference.
The Symposium will be held in English featuring Keynote speakers from various countries, oral presentations, poster presentations, company presentations, and exhibitions. We are expecting 300-350 participants from countries around Asia.
Once again, Galaxy Scientific is please to announce that we will be partnering with Quantum Analytics to present a live webinar discussing the benefits of FT-NIR analysis for edible oils.
Fats and edible oils are recognized as essential nutrients in human diets and are presented in varying amounts in many foods. They not only provide the human body with a concentrated source of energy, but also supply essential fatty acids that are precursors for important hormones.
The benefits of FT-NIR spectroscopic analysis of fats and edible oils include:
Real-time analysis; generally less than 10 seconds measurement time
Ability to analyze multiple parameters with a single measurement
Elimination of sample preparation time with non-destructive sampling
Cost effective solution
Safe-to-use method requiring no training for the tester
This live webinar will explore the advantages of FT-NIR for edible oil analysis:
Real-time results for iodine value (IV)
Peroxide value (PV)
Free fatty acids (FFA)
FT-NIR as a proven tool for detecting oil adulteration
FT18 – The newest products, latest trends, and cutting-edge innovations
July 16-18, Chicago IL
IFT18 Expo boasts the industry’s largest collection of food ingredient, equipment, processing, technology and packaging suppliers, all assembled under one roof. See what’s next in the science of food. It’s the only place where you can meet face-to-face with over 1,000 exhibiting companies on the forefront of the latest global food trends, and the see firsthand, the products designed to address them.
IFT’s annual event brings together science of food professionals from around the globe—all converging with the intention to inspire and transform collective scientific knowledge into innovative solutions for the benefit of all people around the world.
Galaxy Scientific is pleased to be partaking in the premiere show for the pet food industry where we will show off our FT-NIR technology. The three-day event offers workshops, educational sessions, and an exhibition featuring over 275 top suppliers and manufacturers. This year’s keynotes are Jack Hanna, renowned American zookeeper, and anthropologist Brian Hare.
