HIDEX Generation II: a new and improved instrument for measuring marine bioluminescence

The Engineering Division of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, in a collaborative effort with the HBOI Marine Biophotonics Center and the Naval Oceanographic Office, have developed a new and improved instrument for measuring bioluminescence in the oceans. Known as the High-Intake Defined Excitation Bathyphotometer (HIDEX-BP), this instrument was originally developed by the University of California at Santa Barbara, and has become the US Navy´s standard bioluminescence measurement tool. HIDEX Generation II is a newly redesigned, fully integrated system, featuring an improved light collection chamber, a new remote telemetry and data acquisition system, and an improved Oceanographic sensor suite. This paper discusses the design, development, and theory of operation for the HIDEX II instrument. Results of sea trials and field data collection will also be presented.