Hamamatsu C10988MA-01 MS Series Miniature Fiber Optic Spectrometer
| Brand | Hamamatsu |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Model | C10988MA-01 |
| Spectral Range | 340–750 nm |
| Detector Type | CMOS Image Sensor |
| Optical Resolution (FWHM, max) | 14 nm |
| Pixel Count | 256 pixels |
| Stray Light | ≤ –25 dB (max) |
| Dimensions | 27.6 × 13.0 × 16.8 mm |
| Weight | 9 g |
| Operating Temperature | 25 °C (typ.) |
Overview
The Hamamatsu C10988MA-01 MS Series is an ultra-compact, OEM-grade fiber optic spectrometer engineered for embedded integration into portable, handheld, and space-constrained analytical platforms. Leveraging monolithic optical design based on nanoimprint lithography—where a transmission diffraction grating is directly fabricated onto the surface of a molded convex lens—the instrument eliminates discrete optical alignment and mechanical mounting, resulting in exceptional dimensional stability and shock resistance. Unlike conventional benchtop or modular spectrometers, the C10988MA-01 operates on the principle of fixed-grating, linear-array dispersion: incident light enters via an integrated input slit, is collimated and diffracted by the lens-integrated grating, and imaged onto a custom 256-pixel CMOS image sensor. This architecture delivers consistent spectral fidelity across environmental fluctuations without recalibration, making it suitable for field-deployable sensors, process monitoring nodes, and miniaturized quality control instruments.
Key Features
- Ultra-miniaturized form factor: 27.6 × 13.0 × 16.8 mm (L × W × H), mass of only 9 g—compatible with drone-mounted payloads, wearable biosensors, and IoT-enabled edge-analytics modules.
- Nanoimprint-based monolithic optics: Grating integrated directly onto lens surface ensures long-term alignment retention and thermal drift < ±0.05 nm/°C (typ. at 25 °C).
- Optimized CMOS detector: 256-pixel linear array with on-chip analog-to-digital conversion, enabling direct USB 2.0 interface without external digitizer hardware.
- Spectral coverage: 340–750 nm (UV-Vis), with FWHM resolution of ≤14 nm across the full range—sufficient for pigment identification, LED binning, water quality screening (e.g., nitrate/nitrite absorbance), and basic fluorescence excitation profiling.
- Low stray light performance: ≤ –25 dB (max), achieved through internal baffling and spectral order suppression—critical for accurate quantification in low-contrast spectral regions (e.g., near absorption edges).
- OEM-ready interface: TTL-level trigger input, synchronous strobe output, and programmable integration time (1 ms to 10 s) support synchronized multi-sensor acquisition in automated test systems.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The C10988MA-01 is designed for use with standard 400 µm core multimode silica optical fibers (SMA 905 connector optional). It does not incorporate sample chambers or flow cells; instead, it functions as a spectral detection engine within larger analytical assemblies—such as microfluidic absorption cells, reflectance probes for surface color measurement, or fiber-coupled Raman probe heads. As a component-level device, it complies with IEC 61326-1:2013 (EMC for laboratory equipment) and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. While not certified as a standalone medical or safety-critical device, its optical stability and repeatability meet requirements for GLP-aligned method development when integrated into validated instrumentation per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 5.5.2 (equipment verification).
Software & Data Management
Hamamatsu provides the MS Series SDK (Windows/Linux/macOS) supporting C/C++, Python (via ctypes), and LabVIEW APIs. Raw pixel data is output as 16-bit unsigned integers; wavelength calibration is applied using factory-measured polynomial coefficients (stored in onboard EEPROM), with typical residual error < ±0.3 nm over the full range. The SDK includes tools for dark current subtraction, pixel binning, and real-time spectrum averaging—enabling noise reduction without sacrificing temporal resolution. For regulated environments, users may implement audit-trail logging and electronic signatures externally; while the device itself does not embed FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance features, its deterministic data pipeline supports traceability when integrated into validated software frameworks.
Applications
- Embedded spectral sensing in agricultural drones for NDVI and chlorophyll index mapping.
- Portable colorimeters for textile, paint, and plastic batch verification per ASTM E308 and ISO 11664-4.
- In-line UV-Vis monitoring of pharmaceutical dissolution testing (USP compliant setups).
- LED and OLED spectral power distribution (SPD) characterization during production sorting.
- Environmental sensor networks measuring turbidity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) via absorbance ratios.
- Teaching laboratories requiring robust, low-cost platforms for spectroscopy fundamentals and calibration exercises.
FAQ
Is the C10988MA-01 compatible with third-party optical fibers?
Yes—any SMA 905–terminated 400 µm core multimode fiber with NA ≤ 0.22 is mechanically and optically compatible.
Does the device require external power or cooling?
It operates from a single 5 V USB supply (< 350 mW typical consumption); no thermoelectric cooler or active heat sinking is required.
Can wavelength calibration be updated post-factory?
Calibration coefficients are stored in non-volatile memory and may be overwritten via SDK commands using user-generated reference lamp spectra.
What is the maximum recommended integration time for stable operation?
Up to 10 seconds is supported, though thermal drift beyond 5 s may exceed ±0.2 nm without ambient stabilization.
Is radiometric calibration available?
Hamamatsu provides relative spectral response (RSR) data; absolute irradiance calibration requires NIST-traceable source and is performed at system integration level.
