Portable Spectrometer for Field Applications

The Jaz spectrometer from Ocean Optics is a handheld, field-portable analytical instrument that combines low-power optical sensing and onboard computing power for custom applications ranging from chlorophyll analysis in leaves and plants to solar irradiance measurements and ozone monitoring.

Jaz is a family of stackable, modular and autonomous components that share common electronics and communications. This compact, monolithic system - a typical setup for field use is about 6 inches in height and weighs less than 2 lb - comprises a miniature CCD-array spectrometer and a powerful microprocessor and onboard display with data logging capability, so that full spectra data can be acquired, processed and stored without the need for a PC. Ethernet and battery modules offer additional functionality for field use.

The Jaz Ethernet module has data storage capability via an SD card slot and allows users to connect to the Jaz unit via the internet, making remote measurements possible and enabling the creation of networked sensing modules. For example, a community of Jaz users could map atmospheric ozone measurements around the world and share the data nearly instantaneously.

The Jaz Lithium-Ion battery module is rechargeable in the field via the solar cell or back in the lab using the power over Ethernet connection (100 Mbps, IEEE 802.3-compliant 10/100 single-cable), the USB 2.0 port or an external power supply. The battery module also has a power-conserving sleep mode for long-term measurements and two additional SD card slots for storing data.

Also, the Jaz platform can be expanded to include light sources (VIS-NIR or LED) and additional spectrometer channels. Jaz can be connected to field-ready fibre optic accessories such as cosine corrected irradiance probes for solar irradiance measurements, optical fibres and probes for immersing in fluids or sampling of solid surfaces, and devices for adjusting the field of view of the sampling optic. Also available is the Jaz SpectroClip, a sampling device more measuring transmission and reflection of thin materials such as leaves and plants. A special holster makes the Jaz wearable, freeing your hands to manipulate sampling devices.

Because of its size and versatility, Jaz is a convenient analytical tool for applications across various industries and disciplines, including horticultural and ecological sciences; biotechnology; solar analysis and environmental monitoring; marine sciences and geological research; surface waters analysis and pollution monitoring such as site remediation and fenceline monitoring; and health and safety.