Deep Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer System

VUVAS-10X - McPherson, Inc.

A new ultraviolet spectrophotometer system for optical metrology just arrived at NASA Goddard! The VUVAS-10X spectrophotometer works best in the 90 to 160 nanometer wavelength range, also known as deep or vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region. It uses a windowless hydrogen plasma light source and differential pump section to reach many wavelengths beyond those of conventional deuterium lamps. The source also works with other gases, or gas mixtures, for atomic spectral line emission from about 30 nanometers (double ionized Helium gas) up to the Visible light range. The new spectrophotometer system, McPherson VUVAS-10X, uses a one-meter focal length high-resolution monochromator with the special light source, scintillated detector and Model 121 goniometric sample chamber. The system is ideal for optical transmission, absorbance and specular reflectance at incident angles up to 60 degrees. This McPherson spectrophotometer system will help develop, inspect and qualify optical materials and coatings used for very high altitude and extraterrestrial space flight missions.