The main difference between CCD's used in sensitive measurement applications, such as spectroscopy, and those used in cameras and camcorders, is the quality of the CCD required for the job. Lower cost, camera-quality CCD's can sometimes be used in less demanding applications. A wide variety of detector sizes and pixel sizes are available. These are linear arrays of photodiode detectors on a single strip of silicon. Frequently used in moderate to high light level applications, PDA's are available as single or double arrays.
Double arrays are convenient for two-channel instruments.
PDA's may be used uncooled, or cooled to achieve lower detector noise. They typically cost less than CCD's and have similar spectral sensitivity in the range 200 nm to 1000 nm. For spectra in the NIR region, from 1 to 2.5 microns wavelength, InGaAs detectors are usually employed. We also offer spectrographs, monochromators, and diffraction gratings for use in the NIR region.