RSpec Explorer - a desktop spectrometer with a built-in video camera
The heart of the RSpec Explorer system is a turn-key, slit-less objective grating system. The grating is sealed in the camera, so it’s immune to dust and dirt.
The RSpec Explorer spectrometer is designed for demonstrating spectral sources (such as gas tubes), and for measuring the spectra of a wide range of light sources, including LEDs, street lamps, and others. It’s also great for student labs.
The spectral range is approximately 390 to 700 nanometers. Accuracy is generally 1% or better. Spectroscopic features as narrow as 3 nanometers can be measured.
The USB camera that is part of RSpec Explorer is a rugged and proven instrument, engineered and produced by a leading manufacturer. It’s been used in a wide range of commercial applications. These cameras are known for their reliability, compatibility, and flexibility.
The camera’s default mode is fully automatic, making it easy to use. It automatically focuses and adjusts to a wide range of light conditions. Gas tube spectra are easily observed in a typical classroom setting.
Position the camera about a meter from your gas tube. You do not need to turn off the room lights, but a relatively dark and smooth background will give the best results. The system comes with a standup matte black background and stand for this purpose.
Automatic camera settings, gamma correction, and varying ambient light conditions mean that measured flux intensity can vary in different contexts. Spectroscopic absorption lines remain accurate and clearly visible regardless of the lighting.
World-class software
Our spectrometer comes with a free license for our award-winning RSpec software, available for Windows and macOS. RSpec is used on all seven continents. (Yes, that means Antarctica too!)
Our software is used by high school chemistry, physics, life sciences, general science, and astronomy teachers as well as professors in well-known universities and community colleges. Some locations have site licenses for student lab use. Others are using the software with professional astronomical instruments. And others are using the system to demonstrate spectroscopy in the classroom and at public outreach events.
Created by an experienced team of professionals, the software reflects more than 100 years of combined experience of our engineering team. You’ll find that the program is stable, well-designed, and easy to use. You’ll be capturing spectra 5 minutes after you install the software.
The software also comes with a collection of professionally-produced video tutorials that walk you through the operation of the program.
When you purchase RSpec Explorer ($395) you get a free copy of the software. The software runs on all versions of Windows 10 and above and on macOS (Intel and M chips). When you purchase our spectrometer you get a license for both the Mac and Windows versions.
LED Tower
The LED Tower is the perfect add-on to the RSpec Explorer system. Turn on one LED at a time, or all of them at once.
The LED Tower is wonderful for demonstrating the properties of light and challenging your students to explain what they’re seeing. Comes with a small 110-220 power supply with a 2-prong North American wall plug.
Just turn it on and point your RSpec Explorer spectrometer at it and you’re ready for an exciting classroom activity with your students.
For a complete discussion on how to use the LED Tower in your classroom, see this YouTube video: link.
Periodic Table of Spectra
Above: our 24 x 36″ Periodic Table of Spectra poster makes it clear to students
that each element has its own spectral fingerprint. See link for more info.