Science and Creativity Come Together With Spectroscopy and Pyrotechnics

MUMBAI, October 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Important Note: This press release is only meant for the Indian market. Any release outside India is not authorized. 

Ocean Optics' Spectrometer Assures Special Effects Colour Purity and Safety for Le Maitre 

Spectrometers from Ocean Optics are being used by Le Maitre Ltd in Surrey to ensure the quality and safety of its close proximity pyrotechnics. Ocean Optics spectrometers measure plasma emission and emissive colour of effects used in theatre productions, concerts, and sporting events. The measurements help Le Maitre ensure these explosive displays are consistently amazing and, most important, safe.

Photo: http://halmapr.com/oo/LeMaitreRelease1.jpg

Le Maitre Pyrotechnics Developer Hamish Cavaye, Ph.D., runs live product tests in a silo in rural England. His challenge is to objectively verify that effects are producing the desired colours. As was recently proven with the pop culture "What colour is the dress?" phenomenon, the human eye is easily fooled. Using a spectrometer to verify colour purity, Cavaye looks for particular emission bands indicative of a specific chemical composition.

Photo: http://halmapr.com/oo/LeMaitreRelease2.jpg

Measuring the emissive colour of pyrotechnics with a spectrometer also has the ability to signal safety issues. If the spectra identify elements that are not expected, it may indicate contamination. Verifying consistency not only ensures a pleasing colour for the audience but helps assure the safety of patrons and performers.

Measurement speed is also important in testing pyrotechnics, as some effects can last less than a second. With integration times on some Ocean Optics spectrometers as low as 1 ms, Cavaye can easily capture multiple spectra for each effect. Along with needing the precision and accuracy typically required of spectrometer measurements, Le Maitre had the additional challenge of requiring an instrument that was portable and durable. Compact miniature spectrometers can easily be brought to the testing silo and are rugged enough to withstand close proximity to live effects as they are firing.

Ocean Optics recently visited Le Maitre to see its spectrometers and Le Maitre's effects in action. Watch the explosive video here: http://youtu.be/Nw0bNfNUYuQ?a.

This isn't the first time Ocean Optics' spectrometers have felt the heat. They've also been used for studying muzzle flashes from rifles, rocket plume emissions, and applications involving flame analysis of metals and other materials.

To learn more about Ocean Optics range of spectroscopy solutions, please contact an Ocean Optics Applications Scientist at [email protected], visit the website at http://www.OceanOptics.com.

About Ocean Optics 

Ocean Optics is a leading supplier of solutions for optical sensing - fundamental methods of measuring and interpreting the interaction of light with matter. With locations in the United States, Asia and Europe, the company has sold more than 200,000 spectrometers worldwide since 1989. Ocean Optics' extensive line of complementary technologies includes chemical sensors, analytical instrumentation, optical fibres, thin films and optics. The company is part of the Halma group of safety and detection companies.

View Ocean Optic's press release archive at: http://halmapr.com/news/oceanoptics/

About Halma 

Halma, the leading safety, health and environmental technology group, is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange and has over 5000 employees in nearly 50 subsidiaries worldwide. Halma's subsidiaries make products that protect lives and improve the quality of life for people through innovation in market leading products which make its customers safer, more competitive and more profitable. These subsidiaries are assisting India's economy in areas such as energy, manufacturing, healthcare, water and waste treatment, construction and transport. Halma has an office in Mumbai.

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Media Contact:
Sunil Balan
[email protected]
+91-7738161211
Marketing Manager
Halma India