Does building your own OCT spectrometer really get you the clearest image? Creating a high-performance spectrometer for SD-OCT imaging requires a deep understanding of the finer points of both OCT theory and spectrometer design. In this tech note, we'll explain the most important parameters and contributors, then model the best available off-the-shelf lenses vs custom-designed optics to see just how the two compare. The difference in performance will surprise you…

Traditional thinking is that compact spectrometers do not offer the sensitivity or speed needed to compete with benchtop fluorimeters for many fluorescence measurements. We explain how limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) are defined and measured, and challenge that preconception by demonstrating picomolar LOD for fluorescein with a compact, cost-effective spectrometer capable of capturing 50 ms scans with ease.