The Quantum Northwest qpod 2e is a Peltier-based, temperature-controlled sample compartment for fiber optic spectroscopy. Use it with spectrometers and light sources from Ocean Optics, Avantes, and Stellar Net, for example. This slide presentation shows the great utility of the qpod 2e with Avantes spectrometers.

1. www.qnw.com
Quantum Northwest, Inc.
Liberty Lake, WA
(509) 624-9290
qpod 2e™
Peltier Temperature Control for Avantes Spectrometers
Enoch W. Small, Ph.D.

2. PRODUCT INFORMATION
The qpod 2e™ is a highly versatile sample compartment
for spectroscopy.
The qpod 2e™ is a sample
compartment for fiber optic
spectroscopy, including:
• a Peltier-controlled cuvette holder with
magnetic stirring
• fused silica lens systems with SMA
fiber optic connectors
• accessories such as filter holders and
polarizers
Add a light source and a fiber optic
spectrometer, and get a powerful system
for a fraction of the cost of a traditional
spectrometer.
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3. The qpod 2e™ has features generally found in much
more expensive spectrometers.
• Integrated PID temperature controller
• Variable speed magnetic stirring
• Dry gas purge
• Optical slit holders to limit exciting or emitted light
• Thermometer probe input to measure sample temperature
• Standard lens packages for absorbance and fluorescence
measurements
• USB or wireless Bluetooth automated control
• Highly customizable with wide range of accessories
PRODUCT INFORMATION
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4. PRODUCT INFORMATION
The qpod 2e™ is highly versatile and customizable.
Four optical ports surround the cuvette
holder. A wide variety of optics and
accessories are available that may be
inserted into these ports. These
include:
• collimating lenses
• imaging lenses
• spherical mirrors
• holders for optical probes such as
fiber bundles or Raman probes
• accessories for direct excitation
using the Avantes AvaLight™
sources
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5. FLUORESCENCEABSORBANCE
The qpod 2e™ has two main measurement modes.
To set the qpod 2e™ up for absorbance
measurements, insert a collimating lens
on each side.
To set the qpod 2e™ up for
fluorescence, insert imaging lenses on
two sides and mirror plugs opposite
them.
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6. Three standard kits are available.
product components price image
qpod 2e/ABS
Absorbance
· qpod 2e™ Sample Compartment
· two QCL-UV Collimating Lenses
$3,440
qpod 2e/FL
Fluorescence
· qpod 2e™ Sample Compartment
· two QIL-UV imaging lenses
· two QMP mirror plugs
$3,940
qpod 2e/MP
Absorbance and
Fluorescence
· qpod 2e™ Sample Compartment
· two QCL-UV collimating lenses
· two QIL-UV imaging lenses
· two QMP mirror plugs
$4,360
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7. Q-Blue software plots temperatures and automates
experiments.
• Set a target temperature
• Turn magnetic stirring on or
off
• Plot temperatures vs time
• Use a tools menu to control
temperature ramping
• Load a script of simple text
commands to control
complex experiments
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8. The qpod 2e has extraordinary temperature
performance.
A SPECIAL MODIFICATION PERMITS TEMPERATURES TO 150 °C!
Time (Minutes) Time (Minutes)
Degrees˚C
Degrees˚C
Note the crisp temperature changes as
a qpod 2e™ was cycled through 20,
50, 0, -15, 80 and 20 °C settings.
With ice water as a circulating fluid, a
qpod 2e™ was set to a very low
temperature. Note how rapidly the qpod
2e™ dropped to well below the -30 °C
minimum temperature specification.
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9. There are three primary uses for temperature control with
the qpod 2e™.
Repeatability - Spectroscopic properties are often sensitive to temperature.
A careful experimenter will always maintain the temperature of a sample to
ensure the repeatability of results.
Assays - Many chemical assays must be performed at a known, stable
temperature in order to provide reliable results.
Melting - Spectroscopy is often used to observe physical changes in
chemical systems at the temperature undergoes a linear change.
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10. Use the qpod 2e™ for thermal melting experiments.
DNA MELTING BY HYPOCHROMISM
0.25
0.27
0.29
0.31
0.33
0.35
0.37
0.39
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
temperature (deg C)
absorbance(avg257-269nm)
absorbance of Poly d(A-T) in 0.01 M
phosphate at neutral pH vs temperature
measured in a CUV-qpod-ABSKIT
controlled by Serial Control V2.2 Temperature ramped
at 0.5 °C per minute
through the transition
Absorbance of DNA vs temperature
The 260 nm absorbance
of a synthetic DNA was
measured vs temperature.
Note the sharp melting
transition at about 45 °C.
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11. For sensitive fluorescence measurements, use the
Avantes AvaLight™ to directly excite the sample.
qpod 2e ACCESSORIES
Fluorescence sensitivity may
be enhanced by exciting the
sample without an
intervening fiber. Use the
AvaLight Support (1) and the
AvaLight Transfer Lens (3) to
focus the excitation light.
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12. The older qpod® is still available.
The older qpod® (in contrast to the
qpod 2e™) is still available for
applications in which it is
inconvenient to have internal
electronics. The qpod® is
controlled by an external TC 125
controller.
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TC 125

13. The qpod 2e™ is often built into custom prototype
spectrometers.
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This prototype
spectrometer uses a
laser to irradiate a
protein sample and an
Avantes spectrometer
to measure absorbance
at 90°.

14. We manufacture custom spectrometers based on
the qpod 2e.
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The qpod 2e forms the
core of a custom
spectrometer that we
manufacture for an oil
services company. The
final instrument is shipped
throughout the world and
used in the analysis of
petroleum and fuels. To
date we have
manufactured 24 units.

15. Combine the qpod 2e™ with a light source and fiber
optic spectrometer, and get a temperature-controlled
spectroscopy system that is more capable than large,
table-mounted spectrometers at a small fraction of
the cost!
Summary
www.qnw.com
• The qpod 2e™ is frequently used for absorbance or fluorescence
measurements, using standard Quantum Northwest, Inc. kits.
• Many uses take advantage of the customizability of the qpod 2e™ for
measurements with fiber optic bundles, Raman probes and other devices.
• The qpod 2e™ is often built into custom prototype spectrometers, providing
totally new capabilities at low cost.