A multipurpose, fast scan spectrophotometer for measuring turbid (biological) materials

A new optical spectrophotometer has been developed, based on a recently patented monochromator for spectral measurements of clear and, in particular, of turbid materials in the millisecond time range. The number of optical and mechanical components of the spectrophotometer has been reduced to a minimum, resulting in excellent light throughput, a low stray-light level, low cost, compactness and rigidity. The spectrophotometer has been designed for all kinds of spectral measurements such as absorption, transmission, reflection and luminescence/radiation in a single-beam mode as documented by several examples. In principle, there is no restriction of wavelengths, ranging from UV to NIR and up to the IR range. As many functions as possible are relocated from the hardware to the software part of the design, which allows for extraordinary flexibility and simplicity. An appropriate computer program providing data acquisition, control and calibration functions as well as real-time display of spectra has been developed on the basis of a compiler language; indispensable “fast routines” are written in assembler language.Presented at the joint meeting of the German Botanical Society and the German Zoological Society entitled: Spectroscopy and Optical Techniques in Animal and Plant Biology, Münster, 30th Sept-3rd October 1996