The SE 100 and SE 200 are echelle-type spectrographs that represent a new approach to spectrograph design for use with 2-dimensional CCD imaging arrays. Scanning a grating to cover a wide wavelength range is now a thing of the past. Both the SE 100 and SE 200 achieve high spectral resolution over the entire wavelength range of the CCD with no moving parts.

Multiple orders of diffraction from the grating are separated by a cross-dispersing prism before they are imaged on the CCD.

The CCD detector becomes an array of many thousands of pixels, which sample wavelengths in a range from about 190nm up to 1100nm in one image.

Spectra are recorded with maximum accuracy even when the light source or the sample changes over time.

User-changeable optics dispersion modules can match the spectrograph output to the format of the CCD.

Different dispersion modules can also provide a variety of resolution and wavelength ranges for the same CCD. It is no longer necessary to purchase a new camera or spectrograph whenever resolution or wavelength requirements change. The user can simply change from one dispersion module to another in a matter of minutes.

The SE 100 and SE 200 spectrographs are both highly flexible systems with different options of dispersion modules and CCD cameras. Three basic dispersion modules are available for both spectrographs that are appropriate for most applications, but we have additional modules that meet a variety of requirements.

SE 200 with a CCD Camera

SE 100 and SE 200

View SE 100 Specifications (Adobe PDF Format)

View SE 200 Specifications (Adobe PDF Format)

SE 200 Image of Hg and Deuterium-Tungsten

Each SE 100 and SE 200 image takes full advantage of the wavelength coverage of the CCD detector. Each image can contain spectral data from about 190nm up to 1100nm in multiple orders because of the cross-dispersing prism in the spectrograph.

Our KestrelSpecTM Imaging Spectroscopy software uses Catalina Scientific's unique "2 point" KestrelCal calibration procedure to create a complete, linearized spectrum from each echelle image. The software can calibrate spectral curves in either wavelength or Raman cm-1 units. The Lite version of KestrelSpec controls the SE 100 and the full version of KestrelSpec controls both the SE 100 and SE 200.

View KestrelSpec SE 200 Spectral Curves

Download SE 200 Hardware and Software Manuals

KestrelSpec supports many different CCD cameras from various manufacturers including Apogee Instruments, Salvador Imaging, Andor Technology, Princeton Instruments, and Santa Barbara Instrument Group.

Catalina Scientific worked with Salvador Imaging to develop an EMCCD camera specifically for use on small echelle spectrographs like the SE 100. An EMCCD (electron-multiplying CCD) is very low-light sensitive and can be gated, so EMCCDs are a practical alternative to an expensive ICCD (intensified CCD).

View EMCCD Camera Specifications (Adobe PDF Format)