PerkinElmer Spotlight 200 User manual

Spotlight 200
User’s Guide
MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY

Release History
Part Number Release Publication Date
L1050036 H October 2015
Any comments about the documentation for this product should be addressed to:
User Assistance
PerkinElmer, Inc.
710 Bridgeport Avenue
Shelton, Connecticut 06484-4794
U.S.A.
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 © 2015 PerkinElmer, Inc.
Produced in the U.S.A.
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.
Fluorolube is a registered trademark of the Hooker Chemical Corporation
Nujol is a registered trademark of the Esso Standard Oil Company
Spotlight, Frontier, Spectrum Two and Spectrum are trademarks of PerkinElmer, Inc.

Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................... 7
About this Manual ............................................................................................. 8
Conventions Used ............................................................................................. 9
Notes, Cautions and Warnings..................................................................... 9
Definitions.................................................................................................12
Related Documents....................................................................................12
Requirements for using the Spotlight 200....................................................12
Connecting the PC to the Local Area Network..............................................12
Warnings and Safety Information ........................................................... 13
The Spotlight 200.............................................................................................14
Summary.........................................................................................................15
General Operating Conditions............................................................................16
Electrical Safety ...............................................................................................17
Location and Ventilation ...................................................................................18
Warning Labels ................................................................................................19
Microscope Safety Labels ...........................................................................19
Stage Controller Safety Labels ....................................................................20
Warning Signs on the Microscope ...............................................................21
Mechanical Safety ............................................................................................22
Lifting the Spotlight 200 ...................................................................................23
EMC Compliance ..............................................................................................24
System Requirements.......................................................................................25
Electrical Requirements..............................................................................25
Safety Specifications.........................................................................................27
Microscope................................................................................................27
Stage Controller ........................................................................................27
Overview of the Spotlight 200 .................................................................29
A Guided Tour of the Spotlight 200 ...................................................................30
Connections .....................................................................................................31
Operation ........................................................................................................33
The Optical System ..........................................................................................34
Visible Light Optics ....................................................................................34
Infrared Optics ..........................................................................................37
Spotlight System Requirements.........................................................................39
Hardware Requirements.............................................................................39
Software Requirements..............................................................................39
Getting Ready to Use the Spotlight 200 .................................................. 41
Before Using the Spotlight 200..........................................................................42
Cooling the MCT Detector .................................................................................43
Setting up the Spotlight 200 .............................................................................46
Focusing the Microscope ............................................................................46
Fitting an Attenuator to the Spectrometer ...................................................48
Setting Scan Parameters ............................................................................48
Preparing Samples ...................................................................................51
Preparing Samples ...........................................................................................52
Tools for Sample Preparation ............................................................................53
Tools Provided with the Spotlight 200 .........................................................53
Other Useful Tools.....................................................................................55
Specialized Accessories ..............................................................................55
Items to Have Available .............................................................................56
Common Window Materials...............................................................................57
Techniques for Preparing Samples for Transmittance Measurements ...................58
Flattening Solids ........................................................................................58
Slicing Samples from Solids ........................................................................59
Polymers...................................................................................................60
Particles ....................................................................................................62

4 . Spotlight 200 User’s Guide
Fibers....................................................................................................... 63
Fibrous Solids ........................................................................................... 63
Coatings on Substrates.............................................................................. 64
Liquids ..................................................................................................... 64
Techniques for Collecting Spectra ...........................................................65
Techniques for Collecting Spectra ..................................................................... 66
Using the Compression Cell ....................................................................... 66
Using a Hot/Cold Stage ............................................................................. 67
Collecting the Spectrum of a Thick Sample ................................................. 67
Collecting a Spectrum in an Inert Atmosphere ............................................ 70
Viewing a Sample with the Visible Polarizer ....................................................... 72
The Theory of Light Polarization................................................................. 72
Applications .............................................................................................. 73
Equipment................................................................................................ 74
Collecting IR Spectra Using the Infrared Polarizer Accessory .............................. 76
Using the Polarizer .................................................................................... 77
Collecting Spectra With the ATR Objective ........................................................ 78
ATR Objective Specification .............................................................................. 80
Fitting the ATR Crystal Holder to the Microscope ............................................... 81
Measuring the Maximum Energy in Reflectance Mode ........................................ 83
Adjusting the Height of the Crystal ................................................................... 84
Centering the Crystal................................................................................. 85
Checking the Infrared Alignment................................................................ 86
Removing the ATR Crystal Holder from the Microscope ...................................... 87
Fitting a Crystal Assembly to the ATR Objective................................................. 88
Manual ATR Objective ............................................................................... 88
Automated ATR Objective.......................................................................... 88
Cleaning the ATR Objective Crystal ................................................................... 90
Auto ATR Cleaning Procedure........................................................................... 91
Materials Needed ...................................................................................... 91
Cleaning Procedure ................................................................................... 91
Changing the Weighbridge Battery ................................................................... 96
Collecting Spectra............................................................................................ 98
Manual ATR Objective ............................................................................... 98
Automated ATR Objective........................................................................ 100
Analyzing Samples Using the ATR Imaging Accessory ...................................... 104
Correcting for the Effect of the ATR Crystal .............................................. 107
Reflectance FT-IR Microspectroscopy .............................................................. 109
Diffuse Reflectance ................................................................................. 109
Specular Reflectance ............................................................................... 110
Reflection-Absorption .............................................................................. 111
Maintenance...........................................................................................112
Maintenance.................................................................................................. 113
Inspecting the Microscope ....................................................................... 113
Protecting the Microscope........................................................................ 114
Cleaning ................................................................................................. 114
Cleaning the Cover.................................................................................. 114
Replacing the Microscope Fuse ....................................................................... 115
Testing the Stage Controller ........................................................................... 116
Replacing the Stage Controller Fuse................................................................ 117
Service.......................................................................................................... 118
Accessories ................................................................................................... 119
Sample Preparation Tools ........................................................................ 119
Electrical Connections .................................................................................... 120
Fitting the Plug ....................................................................................... 120
Connecting the Microscope to the Electrical Supply ................................... 121

Spotlight 200 User’s Guide . 5
Connecting the Microscope to the Spectrometer ........................................122
Connections to the Stage Controller ..........................................................123
Appendices.............................................................................................127
Appendix 1: Decontamination and Cleaning .....................................................128
Appendix 2: WEEE Instructions for PerkinElmer Products..................................129
Index ............................................................................................................130

6 . Spotlight 200 User’s Guide

Introduction

8 . Spotlight 200 User’s Guide
About this Manual
This introduction gives you information about this manual, to enable you to use it effectively
when learning to operate the Spotlight 200.
Before you start using your Spotlight 200 we recommend that you:
•Read the
Warnings and Safety Information starting on page 13;
•Read the rest of this
Introduction and become aware of conventions and requirements;
•Read
Overview of the Spotlight 200 starting on page 29;
•Read Getting Ready to Use the Spotlight 200 starting on page 41.
Four chapters in this User’s Guide contain information on using and maintaining your
Spotlight 200:
•
Getting Ready to Use the Spotlight 200 gives you information on how to set up your
Spotlight 200 at the beginning of the day's work, to make sure that it is working
properly.
•
Preparing Samples describes techniques for preparing many types of microscopic
samples. It includes descriptions of the sample preparation tools provided with, or
available for, the Spotlight 200.
•
Techniques for Collecting Spectra describes how you can use accessories and different
techniques to collect spectra.
•
Maintenance contains maintenance information. It gives you information on how to care
for the Spotlight 200 and about the performance checks that we recommend that you
perform routinely.

Introduction . 9
Conventions Used
Normal text is used to provide information and instructions. Italic text is used to provide
commentary. 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.
“Spectrometer” refers to the Frontier IR System, Spectrum 100 Series, Spectrum 400 Series
or Spectrum One spectrometer supplied with your Spotlight 200.
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.

10 . Spotlight 200 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.