| Description |
Details
UltraPath™ is a unique high-performance spectrophotometer system offering user-selectable optical path lengths of 2, 10, 50 and 200 cm. The instrument operates in the wavelength range of 250 to 730 nm and has an exceptional dynamic range. Designed for the detection of low absorbing species in aqueous solutions, UltraPath is an ideal tool for any study requiring precise and highly sensitive spectroscopic determination of analytes, either in the lab or in the field.
Background
UltraPath was developed by WPI under a collaborative agreement with NASA (Stennis Space Center) for the spectroscopic determination of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in seawater and fresh water environments. It can be used in the laboratory and in the field (i.e., at sea). CDOM concentrations vary significantly between open ocean samples with low CDOM (e.g., 0.007 m-1 at 380 nm), and high CDOM freshwater environments (e.g., 10-20 m-1 at 380 nm). To address these problems the design requirements of UltraPath mandated the development of a rugged portable system capable of high sensitivity measurements across a wide dynamic range. The UltraPath system meets these stringent design criteria and enables reliable measurement of CDOM in the range of 0.002 m-1 to 200 m-1 (250 to 730 nm).
Design
UltraPath has four optical pathlengths contained within a single sample cell (i.e., 2 cm, 10 cm, 50 cm and 200 cm). The pathlengths are user-selectable, offering a very high sensitivity and an extended dynamic range for UV and VIS absorbance measurements. The fluid path of the sample cell is optimized to produce a laminar flow that is virtually free of interference from trapped air bubbles and adherence of dissolved substances to the cell wall. In particular, the design greatly minimizes the problems commonly found with flow cells of long optical pathlengths: the risk of trapping dust particles, fibers or particulate matter inside the cell. The UltraPath system includes a low noise photodiode array-based spectrometer module (TIDAS I: FWHM = 5 nm, noise <0.2 mAU) and a light source (D2H) to measure sample absorption. Light is coupled from the light source to the sample cell and from the sample cell to the detector via two fused silica fibers. A peristaltic pump (PeriStar Pro) is utilized to draw the sample into the UltraPath sample cell. A standard PC or laptop (not included) is connected to the TIDAS I via a RS232 interface (an RS232-to-USB2.0 adapter is included). For spectrometer requirements and software options, see TIDAS-1.
Mobility
The system is designed for mobility. The components of the UltraPath system are designed to function over a broad range of laboratory and field environments.
Samples
Two typical absorption spectra recorded with an UltraPath (UPUV) of a seawater and a fresh water sample collected in November 2007 are shown in Fig. 1. Due to their high absorbance, both samples were analyzed in the 10 cm pathlength. The CDOM sample labeled Mayagüez Bay in Fig. 2 is from oligotrophic, low productive waters with high salinity collected off the west coast of Puerto Rico in the Mayagüez Bay. Special attention should be drawn to the exceptional sensitivity of UltraPath enabling detection of CDOM absorption below 0.03 m-1. To exemplify the performance of the UltraPath in Laboratory Chemistry and Process Control, Ponceau S absorbance was measured with the 200 cm pathlength of an UltraPath. Normalizing the Ponceau absorbance graph to AU/cm, the range of this measurement is 150 ?AU with a noise level below 2 ?AU peak to peak. Sub-nanomolar concentration of this dye can clearly and reliably be detected, which is a novelty in absorbance based spectroscopy.
Particulate absorption
Particulate absorption can be measured by the well established Quantitative Filter Technique (QFT). WPI now offers a fiber optic filter holder for Glass Fiber Filters which can be used with the spectrometer (TIDAS 1) and light source (D2H or FO6000) supplied with the UltraPath. With this accessory, particulate absorption can be measured on site, avoiding loss of spectral information due to freezing and shipping particulate samples to a laboratory. |
| Specifications |
| Dynamic range | 5 µAU/cm to 1 AU/cm, 0.002 m-1 to 200 m-1 | | Wavelength Range | 250 nm – 730 nm (UPUV), 380 nm – 730 nm (UPVIS) | | Wavelength Resolution (FWHM) | 5 nm | | Noise (peak to peak) | < 0.2 mAU | | Drift | < 1 mAU/h | | Optical pathlength | 2, 10, 50 & 200 cm (user selectable) | | Sample cell inner diameter | 2 mm | | Cell Volume | 10 mL (at 200 cm pathlength) | | Sample inlet / outlet | 1/8” | | Fiber input/output | 600 µm | | Solvent resistance | Most organic and inorganic solvents | | Shipping weight | UPUV: 44 lb (20 kg) |
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| Manuals and Resources |
Instruction Manual
UltraPath-IM-062403.pdf |
| References |
M.Babin, A. Bricaud, E. Leymarie, A. Sciandra. "Absorption of properties of marine particles and CDOM: Use of special measurement devices: Ultrapath and PSICAM." . : .
T. Bale. "AMT16 Cruise Report RRS Discovery." Atlantic Meridional Transect Newsletter . 2005: .
John C. Stennis Space Center. "Dual-Use Activites Bring Results - A Portable Instrument to Measure CDOM Light Aabsorption in Aquatic Systems." NASA Office of Technology Transfer John C.Stennis Space Center . : .
. "Editorial." Atlantic Meridional Transect Newsletter 5. 2005: .
M. Belz, K. Larsen, K.F. Klein. "Fiber optic sample cells for polychromatic detection of dissolved and particulate matter in natural waters." Advanced Environmental, Chemical & Biological Sensing Technologies 6377. 2006: .
C. Swan, D. Siegel, N.Nelson, C. Carlson. "Hydrography of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic mMatter (CDOM) in the Pacific Ocean." ASLO Aquatic Sciences . 2007: .
V. Kitidis, A.P. Stubbins, G. Uher, R.C. Upstill Goddard, C.S. Law, E. M. S. Woodward. "Variability of chromophoric organic matter in surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean." Deep Sea Research Part II: Tropical Studies in Oceanography 53. 2006: 1666-1684. |
| Ordering Information |
To place an order for this product, please contact the appropriate WPI office or distributor.
Customers can order direct from our China office:
WPI China
Address: Rm.20A, No.8 Dong Fang Rd, Liang Feng Building, Lu Jia Zui Financial District, Shanghai PRC
Phone:+86 21 68885517
Fax:+86 21 68885537
Code:200120
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| Accessories |
501609 - Waveguide Cleaning Kit
KIT-UPVIS-STARTUP - Startup Kit for UPVIS Ultrapath System
KIT-UPUV-STARTUP - Startup Kit for UPUV Ultrapath System
89575 - Filter Holder for Glass Fiber Filters |
| Application Notes |
Application Notes
No Application Notes available for this product at this time. |
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