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Spectroradiometer Photo Research PR-703A Teardown + Software Request
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_Wim_:
Hi All,

I bought a Photo Research Spot spectroradiometer on Ebay to play around with, and tough I would share some pictures. This meter is based on a 256 element diode array that is thermoelectrically cooled. It can measure from 380nm to 780nm, with an estimated resolution of 5nm (1.7nm per detector element) It is intended to be controlled by a matching ISA PC-card, which was luckily also included in the auction. Unfortunately, the matching software is missing (also contacted the supplier, but they do not have the software available any longer, only a more recent version of SpectraWin2, which does not work with this camera type).

After the objective lens, a mirror is placed with a tiny hole (called a Pritchard mirror). Light that passes through this hole is analyzed, the rest of the light is bounced of a second mirror and sent to the viewing port. Between the viewing port and that second mirror a shutter is placed, which can be opened and closed electronically via the software.

Also between the pritchard mirror and the grating a shutter wheel is installed. This allows to measure the dark current each cycle using the same sensitivity as for the light measurement. This ensures minimal drift of the sensor. 

Both motors have to control signals and a ground. By switching between the 2 control signals the motors advances 1 step (so open/closes the viewer shutter or switches between dark and light measurement). The control signals appear to be -12V.

With the use of the ISA board I was able to reverse engineer the DSUB 37 connector. I was also able to measure a spectrum. The ISA pc-card only needs a 5V supply (approx. 3A), there is no need for -5V, 12V or -12V.

The desiccant cell can be dissembled and its contents dried in an over. The cell is now again nicely blue in color, avoiding condensation on the thermoelectrically cooled sensor.

With the original software it would allow to take the following measurements: spectroradiometry,  photoometry, colorimetry, spectral transmittance and reflectance. 

If anyone would happen to have a copy of the original Spectraview software, or an older version of SpectraWin (V1?) they can share, this would be much appreciated.
_Wim_:
Some pictures
_Wim_:
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_Wim_:
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_Wim_:
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