Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 GC-IR User manual

Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer
Getting Started
Congratulations on your purchase! The Thermo Scientific NicoletiS50 spectrometer is our
highest performance FT-IR spectrometer with integrated features for carrying out a wide range of
experiments and applications. The system includes performance verification features, a powerful
software suite, and many other features that make it easy for you to collect data and get the
answers you need.
Note The optional ValPro™ Qualification is a comprehensive system qualification package that
can be used instead of, or in addition to, performance verification. If you purchased ValPro
Qualification for your spectrometer, please refer to your ValPro documentation for more
information.
269-3516 00 A Revision A
February 2022 ThermoFisher Scientific
All rights reserved.

This document explains the features of your spectrometer and takes you through a basic sample
collection. These topics are covered:
Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started 1
When can I unpack the shipping box? 3
What are the features? 4
Collecting a Spectrum 12
Taking the Next Steps 18
NOTICE
Be sure that all persons operating this system read the site and safety manual first.
2
Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started

When can I unpack the shipping box?
Your spectrometer will be unpacked and installed by a service representative, but if necessary,
you can unpack the shipping box beforehand. Wait 24 hours for the boxes to come to room
temperature before you open anything!
NOTICE
To avoid causing permanent damage to optical components inside your spectrometer or in
separate packaging, wait 24 hours for the shipping boxes to come to room temperature before
you open anything, especially the plastic wrapping that protects the spectrometer. If a
protective wrap is opened before the contents reach room temperature, moisture may
condense on the optics and cause permanent damage. The warranty does not cover damage
to optical components caused by unpacking the shipping box before it has reached room
temperature. Please see “"What about the warranty?"” in the “"Taking the Next Steps"” section
for more information.
CAUTION
Avoid risk of personal injury. Your instrument cannot be lifted safely by a
single person. Lifting or moving the instrument requires two people. Use
proper lifting techniques when lifting or moving the instrument or other
system components.
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Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started
When can I unpack the shipping box?

What are the features?
The following image shows the main features of your spectrometer. Below the image, you will find
descriptions of these features. For additional information, please see the spectrometer user
manual.
ANitrogen fill port The nitrogen fill port is used to fill the vacuum dewar of an MCT
or InSb detector with liquid nitrogen before you collect data if one
of those detectors is installed. Before you attempt to fill the
dewar, please review “Cooling a Detector” in the user guide for
the spectrometer for instructions and important safety
information.
Table 1-1: iS50 Spectrometer Features
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Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started
What are the features?

BHumidity indicator The humidity indicator monitors the level of humidity inside the
spectrometer. The status is conveyed by the color of the
indicator:
CDesiccant access
cover
Your spectrometer is protected from excessive humidity by
desiccant located in a compartment below the desiccant access
cover. Use the humidity indicator (see below) to monitor the
moisture level inside the spectrometer and replace the desiccant
as soon as it becomes saturated. For information about
replacing the desiccant, find “Replacing the Desiccant” in the
spectrometer Help.
Leave the desiccant in the spectrometer even if you purchased
the optional purge kit so the system is protected in the event of a
power failure or if the purge is turned off. For information about
purging your spectrometer, refer to your spectrometer Site and
Safety Guide.
DPower switch The power switch turns the spectrometer on and off. Two
indicator lights next to the power switch tell you the status of the
spectrometer:
System status (steady blue - ready; flashing yellow - error with a
component).
System scan (blinking blue - scanning; off - not scanning or
sleep mode).
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Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started
What are the features?

EProtective
windows or purge
shutters
Whenever the sample compartment cover is open or off, the
spectrometer is protected from environmental humidity and
other chemical vapors by two windows (or two purge shutters, if
this option is installed). These windows or shutters isolate the
optics in the spectrometer. You still, however, need to be careful
when using or cleaning the spectrometer to avoid damaging the
optics or the windows, if installed. Never attempt to clean the
sample compartment windows.
FBeamsplitter
access door
The beamsplitter access door lets you access the beamsplitter
compartment where you can easily remove and install
beamsplitters by releasing and engaging a latch. The
compartment also has a storage area for up to two additional
beamsplitters.
Notice: Beamsplitters are sensitive to moisture and must be
stored in a desiccated environment. To preserve the integrity of
your beamsplitters, leave them in their shipped configuration or
packaging until you have reviewed the instructions for handling
them. For more information, find “Handling Beamsplitters” in the
spectrometer Help.
If your spectrometer has the optional iS50ABX (Automatic
Beamsplitter eXchanger), the beamsplitter compartment is
replaced with a tower where up to three beamsplitters can be
installed and interchanged using OMNIC Paradigm software.
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Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started
What are the features?

GSample
Compartment
You can use the sample compartment for transmission sampling
and with many different accessories and modules including:
Smart Accessories™
• A wide range of these accessories and techniques can be
used including:
• Diffuse Reflection Infrared Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy
(DRIFTS)
• Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR)
• Specular Reflection (SR)
• Temperature controlled accessories
Large baseplate-mounted accessories
The sample compartment is large enough to accommodate
specialized accessories including:
• Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) interface
• iS50 Raman module
• Multi-pass (long pathlength) gas cells
• Other accessories
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Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started
What are the features?

HiS50 ATRmodule
(optional)
The optional built-in iS50ATR module offers convenient,
reproducible Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) sampling with
the NicoletiS50 spectrometer. The ATR module includes all-
reflective diamond optics, a dedicated broad-band detector,
extended spectral range and our signature Touch Point
operation.
IATR
Touchpoint
JRight and left
external beam
ports
The right and left external beam ports can be used to send the
infrared beam to external modules connected to the
spectrometer such as the iS50NIR module, the iS50GC-IR
module, the iS50Research module, or the Continuµm FT-IR
microscope. The external modules allow specialized sampling
while leaving the main sample compartment available for
transmission or other techniques. Each module has an
associated Touch Point that allows you to configure the
spectrometer and run experiments without needing to interact
with the computer.
Note: The left external beam port can also be used to send the
collimated beam from an external source such as a Synchrotron
beam line, directly into the interferometer (the beam bypasses
the aperture). Optional hardware is required.
KSample
compartment
touch point
The sample compartment Touch Point allows you to configure
the spectrometer for the installed sample, sampling module or
accessory and then run experiments without needing to interact
with the computer. Other Touch Points are available for
sampling modules that mount in or alongside the spectrometer.
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Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started
What are the features?

LSample
compartment
Accessory and
Purge ports
(inside)
The sample compartment Accessory and Purge ports are used
to connect accessories that have detectors or power needs,
such as the sample shuttle, and accessories that require purge.
MDetector access
cover
The detector access cover allows access to the detector
compartment where a standard TGS detector and up to two
additional detectors may be installed.
Notice: Detectors are sensitive to static electricity. To preserve
their integrity, leave them in their shipped configuration or
packaging until you have reviewed the instructions for handling
them. For more information, see “Removing a Detector” and
“Installing a Detector” in the spectrometer Help.
NEmissions port
(left back)
The emissions port on the left side of the spectrometer can be
used to send light from an external source through the aperture
and into the interferometer, allowing high resolution studies of
external emissions.
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Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started
What are the features?

What is on the back panel?
The following image shows the connectors that are on the back panel of your spectrometer:
NOTICE
Improper or unsafe cabling can cause damager to system hardware and may create a safety
hazard. We are not responsible for damage or injury resulting from improper or unsafe cabling.
Refer to your spectrometer Site and Safety Guide for details.
AAuxiliary
signals
Can be used to connect the remote start cable or iS50Hub. This
port is also used by service personnel to check the function of the
spectrometer.
Table 1-2: Back panel connectors
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Nicolet iS50 SpectrometerGetting Started
What are the features?