From near absolute to over one thousand degrees – Lake Shore have a sensor to suit
With the UK’s record breaking hot weather continuing, we thought you might like to know that Lake Shore Cryotronics offer four types of sensor for temperature measurement:
Diodes
A diode temperature sensor is the general name for a class of semiconductor temperature sensors. They are based on the temperature dependence of the forward voltage drop across a p-n junction. The voltage change with temperature depends on the material. The most common is Silicon, but Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Aluminium Arsenide (GaAlAs) are also used.
Resistors
These sensors are based on the change of resistance with temperature, and can be classified as positive temperature coefficient (PTC) or negative temperature coefficient (NTC). Platinum RTDs are the best example of PTC resistance sensors.
Capacitors
Capacitors are also used for low temperatures, but usually not for temperature measurement. Capacitance temperature sensors have the advantage of being insensitive to magnetic fields, but they commonly experience calibration shifts after thermal cycling.
Thermocouples
Thermocouples are only useful where differential temperature measurements or low mass are the main consideration. They must be calibrated in-situ as the entire length of the wire contributes to the output voltage if it traverses a temperature gradient.
Each type sensor has its own particular advantages in terms of temperature range and response, as well as design features and drawbacks, so Elliot Scientific recommends contacting us to discuss your application and its requirements.
Lake Shore also do some nice instruments to go with their sensors!
July 2017 Newsletter Out Now
The Elliot Scientific July newsletter is now available. In this issue we cover the new products announced at LASER World of Photonics last month by our principals. Gamma Scientific: two new spectroradiometers. HOLOEYE: the new PLUTO-2 driver for Spatial Light Modulators. Fibercryst: higher power from the new FEMTO-30 laser. CryoSpectra: A new 1 kW cooling capacity cryorefrigerator. NoIR LaserShields: New frames added to their range. Plus photos from the trade show and more…
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May 2017 Newsletter Out Now
The Elliot Scientific May newsletter is now available. In this issue we reveal the latest in miniature spectrometers from Spectral Products, admire a really low-noise diode laser controller from Vescent Photonics, highlight our new brochure for 2017, take a look at the sturdy polarising filters manufactured by CODIXX, and hear how adjuster screw sets from Kozak Micro are superior in pitch to anything else, plus forthcoming events and much more…
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Lake Shore’s Cryogenic Temperature Sensors now on elliotscientific.com
Lake Shore offers four types of sensor for cryogenic temperature measurement based on voltage (diodes) or resistance. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and these can be easily seen at-a-glance via our new Cryogenic Temperature Sensors page.
For example: Of the three most common NTC resistor materials, sputter-deposited zirconium oxy-nitride aka Cernox™ – the others being Germanium and Ruthenium Oxide (Rox™) – is the most versatile. Cernox™ thin film resistors are only manufactured by Lake Shore Cryotronics, and incorporated into robust sensor packages.
Cernox™ works over a broad temperature range, does not follow a standard curve, has sensitivity below 1 K, and is highly resistant to ionising radiation and magnetic field-induced errors. These features can be instantly seen on the page via our colourful graphics:
| ♨ | 0.1 to 420 | ⌒ | ✘ | ❆ | ✔ | ☢ | ✔ | ⋐ | ★★★ (1 K +) |
In all, nine different temperature sensor materials are detailed and an informative datasheet is available to download. However, Elliot Scientific still recommends contacting us for expert advice on sensor choice for your application.
More laser safety filters from NoIR LaserShields
NoIR LaserShields continues to expand their range of CE-approved filters for laser safety. Recent additions include the CT2 for use in the visible, and CTR, HYG and YGH filters for the infrared region of the spectrum.
NoIR have been manufacturing high-quality internationally-certified safety eyewear for the protection of laser users in a broad range of fields and applications for many years now, offering protection from:
- UV, visible, and IR lasers and other ultra-bright light sources
- Multiple waveband devices
- Therapeutic and cosmetic treatments (Patients and clinicians)
- Laser pens (For pilots and the emergency services)
Elliot Scientific’s expert advice will guide you to the best in cost-effective laser safety. Academics, beauticians, clinicians et al, we can protect your eyes from laser mishaps.
Contact us with details of your laser or ultra-bright light source application and we will be happy to help you choose the correct filters for spectacle frames or goggles.
Non-contact Visible Fault Location in fibre added to OZ Optics range
OZ Optics has expanded its range of Visible Fibre Optic Fault Locators with the addition of a benchtop non-contact tester, the ideal solution for inspecting devices with no connectors on the fibre ends. Visible Fibre Optic Fault Locators launch either 520 or 635 nm laser diode light into a fibre to enable discovery of breaks or sharp bends, which are revealed by the resulting scattered light emerging from the sides of the cable.
Fault locators are now available in four models: two benchtop and two portable…
- Benchtop Non-Contact, for CW and pulsed operation
- Benchtop CW High Power only
- Portable pen – CW only
- ‘Pocket size’ offering CW or pulsed output
Pulse modulation aids in locating faults under high ambient light conditions and improves battery life. 2 Hz modulation is easy to detect with the naked eye, while 270 Hz and 2 kHz pulse modulation modes are used for fibre identification by detectors.
New DAli 3: Latest in automated alignment for fibre optics and waveguides
The Elliot Scientific DAli 3 is the latest version of our popular automated photonic device alignment system for the following applications:
• Fibre-to-laser diode alignment
• Fibre-to-waveguide alignment
• Fibre-to-fibre coupling
• Fibre array-to-device alignment
• Compensation for epoxy drift during pigtailing
• Compensation for drift during long-term characterisation
• Simultaneous alignment of input & output fibers (or arrays) to waveguide device
A typical DAli 3 system now consists of our new 3-channel E1100 piezo controller, the USB-equipped DAli 3 interface, and a PC or laptop for driving the easy to use software. Although designed to complement the piezo-driven versions of the Elliot Gold™ Series range of flexure stages, it is also suited to other piezo devices working on 0 to 150 volts.
DAli 3 incorporates the latest in electronics and uses complex software algorithms to quickly deliver precision automated alignment. It does this by locating and optimising an optical feedback signal derived from the components being aligned. It then adjusts their relative position to optimise the signal and therefore their accurate alignment.
The software and hardware package includes many features to enhance use, while also providing the necessary flexibility to allow it to be incorporated into a wide range of photonic alignment tasks for development, test and production applications.
December 2015 Newsletter Out Now
The Elliot Scientific December newsletter is now available. In this issue, Elliot Scientific and OZ Optics show off their glass-wares, Integrated Optics reveals the new MatchBox 2 series of compact lasers, Micro Laser Systems unveils new collimators for the SWIR waveband, Winter holidays and more.
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Next week, we are in Oxford for Quantum UK 2015
Quantum UK 2015 will be the first in a series of annual meetings of the UK Quantum Technology Hub Network that was established by the UK government to accelerate the transition of quantum technologies from research to industry.
Elliot Scientific will be attending this meeting, that takes place at St John’s College, Oxford, from the 28th to the 30th of September. We will be exhibiting a wide variety of our systems, solutions, technologies, and products – both home-grown and from the companies we represent based in the USA, Asia and Europe.
The four Quantum Technology Hubs led by the universities of Oxford, York, Glasgow and Birmingham. They are focussed on:
- Quantum computing
- Quantum secure communications
- Quantum-enhanced imaging
- Quantum-enabled sensing
The conference will discuss the progress, strategy and technical challenges for all these sectors, and will bring together industry, academics, and government with the aim of stimulating new projects and standardising more mature technologies. Contact us for more information.
New additions to laser safety filters from NoIR LaserShields
NoIR LaserShields has had ten of their existing filters for laser safety CE-approved. These are the: 10, 50, 60, 90, 92, 5032, 6032, RT1, RT2 and YG4.
NoIR also revealed, at the recent Laser World of Photonics exhibition, a breakthrough polymer filter for Holmium-doped fibre lasers operating between 2 and 3 microns – the HOY.
NoIR have been manufacturing high-quality internationally-certified safety eyewear for the protection of laser users in a broad range of fields and applications for many years now, offering protection from:
- UV, visible, and IR lasers
- Multiple waveband devices
- Therapeutic and cosmetic treatments (Patients and Clinicians)
- Laser pens (Pilots and Police)
Elliot Scientific’s expert advice will guide you to the best in cost-effective laser safety. From academics, beauticians and clinicians… we protect the alphabet of laser users. Contact us with details of your laser or application and we will be happy to help you choose the correct filters, spectacle frames or goggles.
Atom Optics & Spectroscopy benefit from Photodigm Laser Diodes
Photodigm specialises in manufacturing high power single spatial and longitudinal mode laser diodes. By incorporating their proprietary DBR – Distributed Bragg Reflector – technology within a monolithic architecture, Photodigm delivers unequalled performance for researchers requiring excellent spectral purity and superior beam quality with high output powers, whilst ensuring long term reliability and stability. Typical high-resolution spectroscopy applications include:
- Atomic and Molecular Optical Physics
- Cold Atom Spectroscopy & Precision Instrumentation, for example:
- Advanced gravimeters
- Magnetometers
- Atomic clocks
- Gyroscopes
- Raman Spectroscopy, Interferometry, Lidar and Metrology
With a narrow linewidth on the order of 1 MHz, and powers up to 300 mW, Photodigm DBR lasers are uniquely suited to numerous precision projects.
For more information about Photodigm laser diodes, please contact us.
March 2015 Newsletter Out Now
The Elliot Scientific March newsletter is now available. In this issue we hear about the new colorPol® polariser brochures from CODIXX, see how spectroscopy and Atom Optics’ science benefit from Photodigm Laser Diodes, feel the emphasis Micro Laser Systems put on diffraction limited circular beams, get a taste of a superior solution from CRAIC Technologies for analytical challenges, and almost smell the sea air as we visit the SU2P Symposium in Dundee next week, plus the International Year of Light and more…
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