HG-1 Mercury Argon Calibration Source

With the HG-1 and an Ocean Optics spectrometer, users can perform wavelength calibration with a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or a calculator that performs linear regressions. For technical assistance in performing the latter option, click on Calibrating the Wavelength of Your Spectrometer.

The HG-1 features an SMA 905 Connector to couple to Ocean Optics spectrometers and fiber optic accessories, including optical fibers. The HG-1 operates with a 12 VDC power supply (included with the unit) or 9V battery (not included).

User's Tip: Ocean Optics spectrometers are carefully calibrated as part of the company's standard quality assurance process. However, as is the case with all spectrometers, wavelength will drift slightly due to time and environmental conditions. If wavelength accuracy is an important part of your work, consider including calibration spectra with every experiment.

Specifications

User's Tip: Ocean Optics recommends using the HG-1 with a 50 µm-diameter or smaller optical fiber or entrance slit. The use of  fibers and slits >50 µm in diameter will result in optical resolution (full width, half maximum) that adversely affects wavelength calibration. Also, keep in mind that if the spectrometer has no slit and your experiment involves using optical fibers of different diameters, wavelength re-calibration will be required. That's because optical resolution will vary according to the diameter of the fiber in use -- i.e., a 50 µm fiber will resolve differently than a 100 µm fiber, and so on. Recalibration is also recommended every time that you unscrew the fiber from the SMA 905 Connector on the spectrometer.

Spectral Output

Strong Hg Emission Lines by Wavelength (nm)

User's Tip: There are more emission lines published here than printed on the label on the HG-1 housing. The label is intended as a quick, convenient reference and does not list every Ar or Hg emission line that exists.

* This spectral line will not be evident with spectrometers configured with 300- or 600-lines/mm gratings.

** With spectrometers that have 1200-, 1800-, 2400- or 3600-lines/mm gratings, spectral lines will be evident at 576.96 nm and 579.07 nm.

Strong Ar Emission Lines by Wavelength (nm)

* This spectral line will be evident only with spectrometers configured with 1800-, 2400-, or 3600-lines/mm gratings.

Cuvette Wavelength Calibration Adapter

The PS-HG1-ADP Wavelength Calibration Adapter is a 1-cm square fixture that fits into a 1-cm pathlength sample chamber and connects to the HG-1 via optical fiber. (Neither wavelength calibration standard or fiber is included). The adapter is designed for performing a wavelength calibration for any spectrometer and 1-cm cuvette holder system, whether it's designed by Ocean Optics or another manufacturer.

The PS-HG1-ADP is $300.

References

Wavelengths of Spectral Lines in Mercury Pencil Lamps
Applied Optics-OT, Vol. 35 Issue 1 Pages 74-77 (January 1996)
Craig J. Sansonetti, Marc L. Salit, Joseph Reader

Irradiances of Spectral Lines in Mercury Pencil Lamps
Applied Optics-OT, Vol. 35 Issue 1 Pages 78-83 (January 1996)
Craig J. Sansonetti, J.M. Bridges, Joseph Reader

Per Reader, et al, Wavelengths and Transition
Probabilities of Atoms and Atomic Ions
NSRDS-National Bureau of Standards #68, 1980