Why the need for signal attenuation?
For high-intensity light level applications such as laser characterization, more light will reach the spectrometer than likely can be digitized successfully by the spectrometer’s high-sensitivity linear CCD-array detector. Also, some absorbance experiments may require signal attenuation; too much light can saturate the reference measurement. In some instances, detector saturation can be avoided by using different gratings, changing the optical bench entrance aperture (by installing slits or using small-diameter optical fibers) or adding neutral-density filters to the optical path. Another option is to adjust (through software) the spectrometer integration time to limit the interval during which the detector collects light — akin to changing the shutter speed on a camera to a fast exposure time. The FVA-UV fits in where these signal-reduction techniques are either unworkable or undesirable. The FVA-UV is an anodized aluminum block with 3/8-24 threaded ports to accommodate a 74-UV Colli
