PerkinElmer Frontier Optica FT-IR User manual

FRONTIER OPTICA FT-IR
User’s Guide
MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY

Release History
Part Number Release Publication Date
L1050103 B July 2013
Any comments about the documentation for this product should be addressed to:
User Assistance
PerkinElmer Ltd
Chalfont Road
Seer Green
Beaconsfield
Bucks HP9 2FX
United Kingdom
Or emailed to: [e-mail]
Notices
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Except as specifically set forth in its terms and conditions of sale, PerkinElmer makes no
warranty of any kind with regard to this document, including, but not limited to, the
implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
PerkinElmer shall not be liable for errors contained herein for incidental consequential damages in
connection with furnishing, performance or use of this material.
Copyright Information
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright.
All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever or
translated into any language without the prior, written permission of PerkinElmer, Inc.
Copyright © 2013 PerkinElmer, Inc.
Produced in the UK
Trademarks
Registered names, trademarks, etc. used in this document, even when not specifically marked as such,
are protected by law.
PerkinElmer is a registered trademark of PerkinElmer, Inc.
Spectrum and Frontier are trademarks of PerkinElmer, Inc.

Contents
Introduction............................................................................................... 5
About This Manual ............................................................................................ 6
Conventions Used in this Manual ........................................................................ 7
Notes, Cautions and Warnings..................................................................... 7
Warnings and Safety Information ...........................................................11
Safety Summary...............................................................................................12
General Safety .................................................................................................13
Location and Ventilation ...................................................................................14
To allow for adequate cooling ....................................................................14
To allow any nitrogen used to disperse .......................................................14
Use of flammable solvents and samples ......................................................15
Electrical Safety ...............................................................................................16
Laser Safety Regulations...................................................................................17
Laser Radiation Hazards and their Classification .................................................18
Labels .............................................................................................................19
Warning Signs on the Instrument......................................................................21
EMC Compliance ..............................................................................................22
EC Directive ..............................................................................................22
FCC rules and regulations...........................................................................22
An Overview of the Frontier Optica FT-IR Spectrometer ........................23
A Guided Tour of the Frontier Optica FT-IR Spectrometer ...................................24
Optical system...........................................................................................25
Top panel controls .....................................................................................26
The sample compartment ..........................................................................26
Accessories for the Frontier Optica FT-IR spectrometer................................27
Storage compartment ................................................................................28
Power switch and communication ports ......................................................28
Unpacking and Installation...................................................................... 29
Requirements ..................................................................................................30
Electrical requirements...............................................................................30
Environment..............................................................................................30
Unpacking the Spectrometer.............................................................................32
Opening the shipping container ..................................................................32
The Desiccant Indicator ....................................................................................34
Connecting up the Spectrometer .......................................................................35
Connecting to the PC .................................................................................35
Other connectors.......................................................................................36
Connecting the spectrometer to the electrical supply ...................................37
Installing the Instrument in the Software...........................................................39
Installing the software ...............................................................................39
The Instrument Install Wizard ....................................................................39
Using the Spectrometer ........................................................................... 41
Basics of Software Control ................................................................................42
Starting Spectrum software ........................................................................42
Scanning samples ......................................................................................43
Working with the instrument display and Go button.....................................44
Using the Spectrum on-screen Help system.................................................44
Atmospheric (CO2/H2O) Suppression..................................................................45
What is atmospheric suppression? ..............................................................45
What does atmospheric suppression do?.....................................................45
AVI Correction .................................................................................................47
What is AVI correction?..............................................................................47
What does AVI correction do? ....................................................................47
Look Ahead......................................................................................................48
What is Look Ahead? .................................................................................48
What does Look Ahead do? ........................................................................48

Quality Checks................................................................................................. 49
What are Quality Checks?.......................................................................... 49
What do Quality Checks do? ...................................................................... 49
Measuring Optical Components ...............................................................51
Optimizing Your Instrument Settings................................................................. 52
J-stop....................................................................................................... 52
B-stop ...................................................................................................... 53
Resolution ................................................................................................ 53
Phase correction ....................................................................................... 54
Apodization............................................................................................... 54
Sample Properties............................................................................................ 55
Sample wedge .......................................................................................... 55
Sample tilt ................................................................................................ 55
Sample thickness ...................................................................................... 56
Non-planar samples .................................................................................. 56
Small samples........................................................................................... 56
Samples with near-parallel reflecting surfaces............................................. 56
Summary ........................................................................................................ 57
Reflection measurements .......................................................................... 57
Routine Maintenance ...............................................................................59
Cleaning the Spectrometer ............................................................................... 60
Cleaning the display .................................................................................. 60
Moving the Spectrometer ................................................................................. 61
Condensation............................................................................................ 61
The Desiccant Indicator in Detail ...................................................................... 62
Changing the Desiccant.................................................................................... 63
Renewing the instrument desiccant ............................................................ 64
Installing rechargeable desiccant in the instrument ..................................... 65
Purging the Spectrometer ................................................................................ 66
Changing the External Fuse.............................................................................. 69
Advanced Maintenance ............................................................................71
Opening the Main Cover................................................................................... 72
Replacing the Source ....................................................................................... 75
Installing/Replacing Windows ........................................................................... 77
Installing Filters in the Filter Wheel ................................................................... 79
Replacing the Laser and Power Supply .............................................................. 83
Appendices ...............................................................................................85
Appendix 1: Changing the Sampling Accessory .................................................. 86
Appendix 2: Instrument Self-Checks ................................................................. 88
Appendix 3: Instrument Performance Validation Kit ........................................... 90
Appendix 4: Decontamination and Cleaning....................................................... 91
Appendix 5: WEEE Instructions for PerkinElmer Products ................................... 92
Index.............................................................................................................. 93

Introduction

6 . Frontier Optica FT-IR User's Guide
About This Manual
This manual contains the following sections:
•Introduction
•Warnings and Safety Information
•An Overview of the Frontier Optica FT-IR Spectrometer
•Unpacking and Installation
•Using the Spectrometer
•Measuring Optical Components
•Routine Maintenance
•Advanced Maintenance
•Appendices.
For further information on collecting, viewing and processing spectra using Spectrum
software, refer to the Help file that you can access from the Help menu.

Introduction . 7
Conventions Used in this Manual
Normal text is used to provide information and instructions.
Bold text refers to text that is displayed on the screen.
UPPERCASE text, for example ENTER or ALT, refers to keys on the PC keyboard. '+' is used
to show that you have to press two keys at the same time, for example, ALT+F.
All eight digit numbers are PerkinElmer part numbers unless stated otherwise.
The term “instrument” refers to the Frontier Optica FT-IR spectrometer, and any sampling
accessory fitted.
Notes, Cautions and Warnings
Three terms, in the following standard formats, are also used to highlight special
circumstances and warnings.
NOTE: A note indicates additional, significant information that is provided with some
procedures.

8 . Frontier Optica FT-IR User's Guide
CAUTION
We use the term CAUTION to inform you about situations that could
result in serious damage to the instrument
or other equipment. Details
about these circumstances are in a box like this one.
Caution (Achtung)
Bedeutet, daß die genannte Anleitung genau befolgt werden muß, um
einen Geräteschaden zu vermeiden.
Caution (Bemærk)
Dette betyder, at den nævnte vejledning skal overholdes nøje for at undgå
en beskadigelse af apparatet.
Caution (Advertencia)
Utilizamos el término CAUTION (ADVERTENCIA) para advertir sobre
situaciones que pueden provocar averías graves en este equipo o en otros.
En los recuadros como éste se proporciona información sobre este tipo de
circunstancias.
Caution (Attention)
Nous utilisons le terme CAUTION (ATTENTION) pour signaler les
situations susceptibles de provoquer de graves détériorations de
l'instrument
ou d'autre matériel. Les détails sur ces circonstances figurent
dans un encadré semblable à celui-ci.
Caution (Attenzione)
Con il termine CAUTION (ATTENZIONE) vengono segnalate situazioni
che potrebbero arrecare gravi danni allo strumento o ad altra
apparecchiatura. Troverete informazioni su tali circostanze in un
riquadro come questo.
Caution (Opgelet)
Betekent dat de genoemde handleiding nauwkeurig moet worden
opgevolgd, om beschadiging van het instrument te voorkomen.
Caution (Atenção)
Significa que a instrução referida tem de ser respeitada para evitar a
danificação do aparelho.
Caution (
小心
)
我们使用“小心”这一术语来通知您有关可能会对
本仪器或其它设备造成严重损害
的情况。
有关这些情况的详细信息可在此类方框中找到。
Caution (
注意
)
分光器や他の機材等に深刻なダメージを与える恐れがある場合は、
この様なボックスの中に表示しています。

Introduction . 9
WARNING
We use the term WARNING to inform you about situations that could result
in personal injury to yourself or other persons. Details about these
circumstances are in a box like this one.
Warning (Warnung)
Bedeutet, daß es bei Nichtbeachten der genannten Anweisung zu einer
Verletzung des Benutzers kommen kann.
Warning (Advarsel)
Betyder, at brugeren kan blive kvæstet, hvis anvisningen ikke overholdes.
Warning (Peligro)
Utilizamos el término WARNING (PELIGRO) para informarle sobre
situaciones que pueden provocar daños personales a usted o a otras
personas. En los recuadros como éste se proporciona información sobre este
tipo de circunstancias.
Warning (Danger)
Nous utilisons la formule WARNING (DANGER) pour avertir des situations
pouvant occasionner des dommages corporels à l'utilisateur ou à d'autres
personnes. Les détails sur ces circonstances sont données dans un encadré
semblable à celui-ci.
Warning (Pericolo)
Con il termine WARNING (PERICOLO) vengono segnalate situazioni che
potrebbero provocare incidenti alle persone. Troverete informazioni su tali
circostanze in un riquadro come questo.
Warning (Waarschuwing)
Betekent dat, wanneer de genoemde aanwijzing niet in acht wordt genomen,
dit kan leiden tot verwondingen van de gebruiker.
Warning (Aviso)
Significa que a não observância da instrução referida poderá causar um
ferimento ao usuário.
Warning (
警告
)
我们使用“警告”这一术语来通知您有关可能会对您自己或他人造成人
身伤害的情况。
有关这些情况的详细信息可在此类方框中找到。
Warning (
警告
)
使用者及びその他周辺に危害が及ぶ恐れがある場合は、
この様なボックスの中に注意事項が表示されています。

10 . Frontier Optica FT-IR User's Guide

Warnings and Safety
Information

12 . Frontier Optica FT-IR User's Guide
Safety Summary
The Frontier Optica FT-IR spectrometer has been designed to comply with a wide variety of
international standards governing the safety of laboratory equipment. In routine use, the
instruments pose virtually no risk to you. If you take some simple, common-sense
precautions, you can make sure that you maintain the continued safe operation of your
instrument:
DO make sure that the instrument is properly connected to the electrical supply; in particular,
make sure that the ground (earth) is securely connected.
DO disconnect the electrical power cable before opening the main cover of the instrument.
DO keep the instrument dry. Avoid spilling liquid into the instrument. Clean all external spills
immediately. If anything that is spilled enters the main body of the instrument, switch off the
power and contact a PerkinElmer Service Engineer.
DO NOT stare into the internal laser beam under the instrument cover. The instrument
contains a low power, visible (red) laser; momentary exposure to the beam is not dangerous,
but deliberate, direct viewing of the beam along its axis could damage your eye.
DO NOT use a flammable gas to purge the instrument. The instrument contains a hot source,
and a fire or explosion will result. Only use clean, dry, oil-free nitrogen or air to purge the
instrument.
DO read the more detailed information on warnings and safety in the following pages to
ensure the safe operation of the instrument.

Warnings and Safety Information . 13
General Safety
The Frontier Optica FT-IR spectrometer has been designed and tested in accordance with
PerkinElmer specifications and in accordance with the safety requirements of the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The instruments conform to IEC publication
61010-1 (“Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use”) as it applies to IEC Class 1 (earthed) appliances and therefore meets the
requirements of EC low voltage directive 2006/95/EC.
If the instrument is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection
provided by the instrument may be impaired. Only use the instrument indoors and under the
following conditions:
Temperature 15 °C to 35 °C
Relative Humidity 80% maximum (non-condensing)
If possible, avoid any adjustment, maintenance and repair of the opened, operating
instrument. If any adjustment, maintenance and repair of the opened, operating instrument
is necessary, this must only be done by a skilled person who is aware of the hazard involved.
Whenever it is likely that the instrument is unsafe, make it inoperative. The instrument may
be unsafe if it:
•Shows visible damage
•Fails to perform the intended measurement
•Has been subjected to prolonged storage in unfavorable conditions
•Has been subjected to severe transport stresses.
The instrument has been designed to be safe under the following environmental conditions:
•Indoor use
•Altitude up to 2000 m (above mean sea level)
•Ambient temperatures of 5 °C to 40 °C
•A maximum ambient relative humidity of 80% for temperatures up to 31 °C, decreasing
linearly to 50% relative humidity at 40 °C
•Mains supply fluctuations not exceeding ±10% of the nominal voltage.

14 . Frontier Optica FT-IR User's Guide
Location and Ventilation
WARNING
Make sure that the switch at the electrical supply inlet on the rear of the
instrument is not obstructed.
To allow for adequate cooling
Do not site the instrument near to room heating equipment, for example, central heating
radiators.
During operation, there should be a minimum gap of:
•15 cm (6 inches) between any surface and the cooling louvers at the rear of the
instrument.
•7 cm (3 inches) between the instrument and adjacent equipment.
•45 cm (18 inches) between any surface and the top surface of the closed sample area
lid (to allow for the lid to be opened fully).
To allow any nitrogen used to disperse
WARNING
Do not site the instrument in a poorly ventilated area if nitrogen will be
used as a purge gas.
Oxygen depletion in an enclosed space does not trigger a gasping reflex,
and errors of judgment, confusion, or unconsciousness can occur
in seconds and without warning.
The spectrometer includes a coupling that enables the instrument body, and another that
enables the sample compartment, to be purged using clean, dry, oil-free air or nitrogen. The
recommended flow rate to each connector is 10 l/min, and both the instrument and the
sample compartment vent to their surroundings.

Warnings and Safety Information . 15
Use of flammable solvents and samples
WARNING
The instrument contains a hot source and contact with flammable vapors
may cause an explosion. When working with flammable solvents or
samples, particularly during unattended operation with flow-cells, it is
recommended that the instrument optics area should be continuously
purged with dry air or nitrogen to maintain a positive pressure and
prevent flammable vapor entering the instrument.
WARNING
If flammable solvents or samples are spilled on the instrument and there
is any possibility that they have entered the interior (by coming into
contact with cover gaskets for example) then the instrument must be
switched off immediately and disconnected from the power supply. The
optics area should then be thoroughly purged with dry air or nitrogen, or
the main cover should be opened to thoroughly ventilate the optics area
before proceeding.
WARNING
Flammable solvents or samples should not be stored on or near the
instrument. Handling of such materials during preparation should be
performed in a safe area away from the instrument such as a fume
cabinet.

16 . Frontier Optica FT-IR User's Guide
Electrical Safety
•Connect the instrument to a power supply line that includes a switch or other means of
disconnection from the electricity supply.
•Only plug the instrument into an electricity-supply socket that is provided with a
protective earth connection.
•When fuses need replacing, use only those with the required current rating and of the
specified type. Do not use makeshift fuses and do not short-circuit fuse holders.
•When the instrument is connected to its electricity supply, terminals may be live and the
removal of covers other than those which can be removed by hand is likely to expose
live parts.
•Capacitors inside the instrument may still be charged even if the instrument has been
disconnected from all voltage sources.
•The instrument must be disconnected from all voltage sources before it is opened for
any adjustment, replacement, maintenance or repair.
WARNING
Any interruption of the protective earth conductor inside or outside the
instrument or disconnection of the protective earth terminal can make the
instrument dangerous.
The instrument has an IEC Insulation class I rating for external circuits – only connect
equipment that meets the requirements of IEC 61010-1, IEC 60950 or equivalent standards.

Warnings and Safety Information . 17
Laser Safety Regulations
The Frontier Optica FT-IR spectrometer is a Class 1 laser product as defined by IEC 60825-1.
The optical module contains a Class 2 Helium Neon (HeNe) laser, which emits visible,
continuous wave radiation at a wavelength of 633 nm and has a maximum output power of
1 mW. Some diffuse HeNe laser radiation, within Class 1 limits, emerges from:
•The window in the left side of the sample compartment when an internal beampath is
selected.
•An external beam port when the beam port cover is removed, no accessory is fitted at
the port, and the beampath to the port is selected.
WARNING
Do not stare into any laser beam. Staring into a laser beam (intrabeam
viewing) can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
The laser is automatically shut down when the main cover of the instrument is raised.
WARNING
Do not attempt to override or modify the interlock system.
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than
those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
The instrument complies with the following laser safety regulations:
1. 21 CFR Part 1040.10 and 1040.11 except for deviations pursuant to Laser Notice No. 50
dated 24 June 2007. Administered by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2. European Standard EN 60825-1:2007 – “Safety of laser products – Part 1: Equipment
classification and requirements”.

18 . Frontier Optica FT-IR User's Guide
Laser Radiation Hazards and their
Classification
Indirect observation of the laser beam radiation in the optical path is not hazardous. Directly
viewing the laser beam along its axis (allowing the laser beam radiation to pass into the eye)
can be hazardous, depending upon the power of the beam, the length of time that the eye is
exposed to the beam and the optical efficiency of the exposed eye. Direct viewing of a laser
beam along its axis is termed intrabeam viewing.
Protection of the eye during accidental, momentary intrabeam viewing of a Class 2 laser
beam is normally given by the eye’s aversion response, including the blink reflex, which limits
exposure of the eye to less than 0.25 seconds.
Class 1 levels of laser radiation are not considered to be hazardous.

Warnings and Safety Information . 19
Labels
When this label is attached to an instrument it means “Caution, risk of
danger”. Refer to the manual to find out the nature of the potential
hazard and any actions that have to be taken.
The product identification label is on the front of the instrument. Other labels are fixed to the
Frontier Optica FT-IR spectrometer in the locations shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2:
Figure 1 Labels (rear of instrument)
NOTE:The label with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol and a rectangular bar indicates that
the product is covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Directive. Refer to Appendix 5: WEEE Instructions for PerkinElmer Products on
page 92.

20 . Frontier Optica FT-IR User's Guide
NOTE: There is a second copy of the CAUTION label inside the sample compartment cover.
Figure 2 Labels (sample compartment)
Serial number, part
number and date of
manufacture