Using Spectrometers with Computers

Get Spectral Analysis

Spectral Analysis is our free application to collect, graph, and analyze spectroscopy data from spectrometers. If you don't have Spectral Analysis installed, please download and install it first.

Spectral Analysis in a Browser
If you cannot install software on your computer, you can use Spectral Analysis in a Chrome or Edge browser. See instructions for Spectral Analysis in a browser.

Connect Your Spectrometer Using USB

1. Connect the sensor to the USB port of your device.
   • For Go Direct spectrophotometers, do not connect the power supply, it is not needed when connecting via USB.
   • For the Go Direct SpectroVis Plus, it is recommended that you remove the battery when connecting via USB.
2. Launch Spectral Analysis. The app will identify the spectrometer.
3. Select the desired experiment type, then follow the software instructions to continue with data collection.

Connect Your Go Direct Spectrometer Using Bluetooth®

1. Follow the steps appropriate for your spectrometer to prepare the spectrometer for data collection.
   • Go Direct SpectroVis Plus
     1. Ensure your Go Direct SpectroVis Plus is charged. We do not recommend collecting data with the AC power connected.
     2. Turn on your spectrometer by pressing the power button once. The power LED will glow green and the Bluetooth^® LED will flash blue.
   • Go Direct Emissions Spectrometer
     The following applies to the Go Direct Emissions Spectrometer and the Go Direct Visible Spectrophotometer in emissions configuration.
     1. Connect the spectrometer at a USB power adapter or to a powered USB hub. The Bluetooth^® LED will flash blue. Note: To use the spectrometer via Bluetooth^®, do not plug the USB cable into your computer.
   • Go Direct UV-VIS, Go Direct Fluorescence/UV-VIS, and Go Direct Visible Spectrophotometers
     1. Connect the AC Power Supply to the spectrophotometer. This supplies power to the lamp (unnecessary for emissions experiments).
     2. Turn the power switch to the ON position. Wait for the lamp indicator LED to remain green.
     3. To power the Bluetooth^® radio, connect the spectrometer to the USB power adapter or to a powered USB hub. The Bluetooth^® LED will flash blue. Note: To use the spectrometer via Bluetooth^®, do not plug the USB cable into your computer.
2. Launch Spectral Analysis.
3. Click or tap .
4. Choose your spectrometer from the list of discovered devices.
   • Your sensor’s ID is located near the barcode on the sensor label.
   • You can type part of your sensor’s ID in the  to quickly find your spectrometer.
   • The Bluetooth^® LED on the spectrometer will glow blue (no longer flashing) when successfully connected.
5. Click or tap .
6. Select the desired experiment type, then follow the software instructions to continue with data collection.

Resources

• How do I use Vernier USB products with a computer or Chromebook having only USB-C ports?
• Spectral Analysis Troubleshooting and FAQs

Need Assistance?

If you are having trouble connecting your sensors, please reach out to us.