Calibration of the JDSU MicroNir 1700 for Agricultural Product Analysis

Abstract

T he MicroNIR 1700 is a miniature near infrared spectrometer developed and manufactured by JDSU (JDS Uniphase Corporation, www. jdsu.com). It is distinguished by its small size (45 mm diameter × 42 mm height), low weight (60 g) and requirement for short analysis times (a few seconds). This technology can be controlled and operated by a tablet, smartphone or portable computer. The MicroNIR spectrometer is an ultracompact instrument designed to be used in diffuse reflection, transflection or transmission modes. It uses a linear variable filter (LVF) component mounted over a diode array detector that separates incoming light into individual wavelengths. The spectrometer integrates the light source and readout electronics in a small construction. Key attributes of the MicroNIR 1700 spectrometer are summarised in Table 1. A white reference measurement was obtained using a Spectralon disc, while a black (or dark) reference was obtained from a fixed place in the room. Absorbance values were calculated as –log (Sample–Black/ White–Black) with the data being sent to the host computer as .csv files. The unit did not have a full prediction engine in its software but the data collection software worked smoothly.