Hamamatsu launched its new portable water analysis micro spectrometer head that is the smallest in the UV market, just over one fifth the size of the next nearest alternative. This enables it to be fitted into small enclosures.

Portability is key to water monitoring devices as often testers will travel to many different locations. The micro-spectrometer component size enables instruments to be customisable for the application rather than relying on a typical standard design. 

In one example application, the C16767MA would be mounted in a compact water quality monitor. The monitors would be installed in rivers, lakes or oceans allowing inspection and analysis of many types of pollutants via absorption spectrophotometry.

The spectrometer separates UV light in the range of 190 to 440 nm and then simultaneously measures the light intensity at each wavelength. This doesn’t just identify individual pollutants in water, it also helps to determine their concentrations. 

The device has high sensitivity and low weight. It has a resolution of 8nm, which delivers very high accuracy.

Water monitoring is a crucial process used to analyse pollution in rivers, oceans, pools, and any other source of water to determine the cause of environmental deterioration and health hazards. 

The spectrometer can measure nitrates, nitrites, dissolved oxygen and more. Fluorescence spectroscopy measures oil content and polycyclic aromatics and absorption spectroscopy measures dissolved organics, nitrogen and phosphorous.

The micro spectrometer analyses in the UV which, based on the absorption of specific electromagnetic wavelengths, offers advantages over other analysis methods eg being reagent-free and offers real-time measurements. It can assess parameters such as UV254, colour, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, and more. It uses photodiodes, creating responses across a large range, up to 300nm.

Requiring only five volts, the device can be powered with ordinary lithium batteries.

Hamamatsu also manufactures micro spectrometers covering infrared and visible light.

Craige Palmer, Sales Director of Hamamatsu Photonics UK, said “Our mini-spectrometer micro series is perfect for water monitoring or for anyone who needs a more portable, light-weight device. It can be customised for most applications and it is easy to transport.”

You can find out more about Hamamatsu UK by visiting https://www.hamamatsu.com/eu/en.html 

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