In a few weeks, we will showcase several upcoming innovations at Photonics West 2026.
At booth 1157, visitors will be able to experience the first live demonstration of AvaSoftX, our completely redesigned software platform, and get an exclusive sneak preview of a new broadband light source, the AvaLight-DH-BAL.
In addition to these product previews, we will host a series of application-driven live demonstrations, highlighting recent advances in LIBS, thin-film characterization, and biomedical spectroscopy, as well as a collaborative demo with our sister company, NLIR.
AvaSoftX: next-generation control and data handling
AvaSoftX is a new software platform developed to streamline the path from raw spectra to usable results. AvaSoftX offers mini-apps tailored to specific measurement techniques and types, such as LIBS, Chemometry, and Raman. Each application presents the controls and visualizations needed for that workflow, reducing time and the risk of user error.
Smart wizards guide users step-by-step through the setup of a measurement, from instrument configuration and referencing to data acquisition and evaluation. For more advanced users, AvaSoftX supports customization with scripting and user-defined libraries, enabling the creation of reusable methods and application-specific data handling. The platform also includes integrated instruction videos and online manuals to support the users directly on the platform.
The software features an accessible dark interface optimized for extended use in laboratory and production environments. Improved LIBS functionality will be highlighted in San Francisco through a live demonstration that combines AvaSoftX with the latest Avantes spectrometers and light sources.
AvaLight-DH-BAL: improved broadband illumination from UV to NIR
Also making its public debut is the AvaLight-DH-BAL, a new and improved deuterium–halogen broadband light source designed to replace the current DH product line. The system delivers continuous broadband output from 215 to 2500 nm and combines a more powerful halogen lamp with a reworked deuterium section for improved optical performance and stability.
A switchable deuterium and halogen optical path is combined with deuterium peak suppression to improve dynamic range and spectral balance. The source is built into a newly developed, more robust housing to improve mechanical and thermal stability. Updated electronics support adjustable halogen output, a built-in filter holder, and both front-panel and remote-controlled shutter operation.
The AvaLight-DH-BAL is intended for applications requiring stable, high-output broadband illumination, including UV–VIS–NIR absorbance spectroscopy, materials research, and thin-film analysis.
The official launch date for the light source, as well as the software, will be shared in the near future.
Application-driven live demonstrations
In addition to product previews, Avantes will run a series of live application demonstrations at booth 1157. These include a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) setup for rapid elemental analysis, a thin-film measurement system for optical coating characterization, and a biomedical spectroscopy demonstration focusing on real-time measurement and analysis.
Our engineering team will be available throughout the event to discuss system configuration, application requirements, and integration into research or industrial environments.
We can’t wait to see you there!