Photon RT Support

Photon RT Support

Are you familiar with the Photon RT spectrophotometer from Essent Optics? Unlike ARTA/TAMS (PE Lambda) and UMA (Cary), Photon RT is a standalone instrument, not an attachment. Its rotating sample holder and rotating detector can be utilized for single or multiple angle and polarization measurements. Detector offset ensures accurate measurements of thick samples.

While FilmStar does not directly communicate with the instrument, Photon RT Excel-compatible (XLS) spectra are similar to FilmStar Collector spectra. The screenshot below shows original Photon RT data in a format similar to the FilmStar Spectra Collector. Neither Photon RT nor FilmStar requires Excel.

Without a test copy of Photon RT software or a detailed manual, FTG is unable to advise users on setting up Photon RT software for 100% compatibility (i.e. BASIC macro not needed) with the FilmStar Collector. We are assured, however, that this can be accomplished. FilmStar column headers are specified as follows:

1. Column A: W (nm), W (µm), W (1/cm), W (kÅ)
2. Other columns: RS 45 90 (Sample at 45°, Detector at 90°)
RP: %R P pol, RS: %R S pol, TR: %T R pol [R (random) pol same as Avg pol]

Current and potential Photon RT users are requested to contact Essent Optics on this issue. Since FilmStar and Photon RT spectra are both column-based, it should be possible to convert formats with either FilmStar BASIC or Excel VBA code.

Your Photon RT file might resemble this:

A BASIC macro converted the above to Collector format as shown below. Macros are easily modified if column headers and worksheet labels differ from the above. As Photon RT xls data files have variable formats, users must ensure consistency and prevent haphazard alterations.

Download PhotonRT.zip for sample FilmStar BASIC macros. While conversion could also be performed in Excel VBA, BASIC does not require Excel, thereby increasing data security.

1. PhotonRT1.bas & PRT_Test1.xls [angles specified in column headers (illustrated above)]

2. PhotonRT2.bas & PRT_Test2.xls [angles specified in the Parameters sheet]

Unzip and copy to c:\Winfilm\PhotonRT. In Test1 angles are specified in column headers, in Test2 angles are taken from the Parameters sheet (???). In both case Collector files are saved with the original name but with xlsx extension replacing xls. Contact FTG if unable to modify macros to import Photon RT files.

In addition to quality assurance, multiangle spectra are useful in inverse-synthesis (reverse-engineering). The Collector to Targets button shown below is enabled when the Collector is visible. This is the main reason for converting spectra to a standard FilmStar format.

For FilmStar MEASURE users, the ultimate solution would be for Essent Optics to add an ActiveX version which could be run directly from MEASURE. This would provide a common interface for Agilent (Cary), PE Lambda and FITR, Ocean Optics, Nicolet FTIR and Photon RT instruments.

FTG Software has considerable experience in delivering low-cost Excel-based turnkey automation solutions for quality assurance with complex coating specifications. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

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