Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 GC-IR User manual

Nicolet iS50
FTIRSpectrometer
User Guide
269-3515 00 A Revision A February 2022
© 2022 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved.

For technical support, please contact: www.thermofisher.com
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. provides this document to its customers with a product purchase
to use in the product operation. This document is copyright protected and any reproduction of
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Sale, which Terms and Conditions of Sale shall govern all conflicting information between the
two documents.
For Research Use Only. This instrument or accessory is not a medical device and is not
intended to be used for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment or cure of disease.
WARNING
Avoid an explosion or fire hazard.
This instrument or accessory is not designed for use in an explosive
atmosphere.

Contents
Introduction 5
Conventions Used 7
Warranty Information 8
Contacting Us 10
Operation 11
Operating Precautions 12
Overview of the Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer 13
Spectrometer Components 15
Using Your Spectrometer 36
Measuring a sample 77
Accessories and Application Modules 85
Smart Accessories 86
Other Sampling Accessories 88
Other Accessories 90
System Accessories 92
Installing Accessories 93
Maintenance 101
Static Electricity Precautions 102
Cleaning the Spectrometer 103
Maintaining Detector Dewars 104

Checking Internal Humidity 105
Replacing the Desiccant 106
Checking and Changing the Purge Gas Filter 108
Aligning the Spectrometer 110
Service 111
Installing or Removing Optional Hardware 112
Replacing Components 131
Troubleshooting 141
Hardware Problems 142
Applications Problems 151
Research Module 156

Introduction
The Thermo Scientific Nicolet™ iS™50 spectrometer is an FT-IR spectrometer with integrated
features for performing 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 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. Refer to your ValPro documentation
for more information.
The Nicolet iS50 spectrometer performs chemical analyses of sample materials by collecting data in
the mid-IR, far-IR and near-IR spectral ranges using a variety of accessories. The system integrates
advanced instrument features, such as step-scan and dual-channel data collection, with a powerful
software suite and many other features that make data collection easy.
Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer User Guide 5
Chapter 1

Introduction
NOTICE
Be sure that all persons operating this system read the site and safety
manual first.
The spectrometer site and safety guide that came with your system contains important safety
information. Before you use the system, read the entire guide. To prevent personal injury and
damage to equipment, follow the safety precautions contained in the guide whenever you use the
system.
6 Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer User Guide Thermo Scientific

Conventions Used
Safety precautions and other important information use the following format:
DANGER
Avoid hazard. Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will
result in serious injury or death.
WARNING
Avoid hazard. Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Avoid hazard. Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE
Follow instructions with this label to avoid damaging the system hardware or losing data.
Note Contains helpful supplementary information.
Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer User Guide 7
Introduction

Introduction
Warranty Information
Thermo Fisher Scientific warrants that each product we sell is free from defects in labor and materials
and shall conform to its product specifications as defined in the product user documentation. If the
product does not function as warranted during the warranty period, we will repair or replace it without
charge. If in our judgment we are unable to do so, you may return it to us and we will refund your
money.
This warranty replaces all other warranties, expressed or implied, including the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and any other obligations or liabilities on the part
of Thermo Fisher Scientific whether in contract, warranty, negligence or otherwise. Thermo Fisher
Scientific shall not be liable for and disclaims all consequential, incidental and contingent damages.
Warranty Period
The system warranty period is 12 months in the U.S.A. and Canada. The warranty period begins on
the date of installation or 30 days from the date of invoice, whichever is sooner.
The system warranty period for products sold outside the U.S.A. and Canada is 12 months from the
date of installation or 14 months from the date of shipment, whichever is sooner.
Limit of Warranty
Misuse, accident, modification, unsuitable physical or operating environment, improper maintenance,
or damage caused by a product for which we are not responsible will void the warranty.
Consumables are not covered under warranty.
Items Not Covered by Warranty
We do not warrant uninterrupted or error-free operation of a product. We provide certain non-Thermo
Fisher Scientific products on an “as is” basis. Non-Thermo Fisher Scientific manufacturers or
suppliers may provide their own warranties. A separate software warranty is provided with the
software user documentation.
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NOTICE
Inside the shipping box, the instrument is sealed in a plastic bag to keep the optical components
dry.
You must allow 24 hours for the instrument to reach room temperature before opening the bag. If
the bag is opened before the instrument reaches room temperature, moisture could condense on
the optical components and cause permanent damage.
Your warranty will not cover:
lDamage due to improper moving techniques.
lMissing or damaged parts if the shipping boxes are unpacked before our service engineer installs
the system.
lDamage due to removing the sealed plastic bag before the instrument has come to room
temperature.
Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer User Guide 9
Introduction

Introduction
Contacting Us
For technical support, please contact: www.thermofisher.com
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Operation
The Nicolet iS50 spectrometer provides powerful tools with easy operation. This operations help
guide will take you through the basic steps in designing experiments and working with the instrument.
With this information, you can collect and analyze data using a variety of tools, like spectral math,
identification and quantification.
Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer User Guide 11
Chapter 2

Operation
Operating Precautions
NOTICE
Be sure that all persons operating this system read the site and safety
manual first.
The spectrometer site and safety manual contains very important information and is available in
several languages. Contact us for information about the languages that are available. Before you use
the system, read the entire manual. To prevent personal injury and damage to equipment, follow the
safety precautions contained in the manual whenever you use the system.
12 Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer User Guide Thermo Scientific

Overview of the Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer
The Nicolet iS50 spectrometer is a multirange applied-research FT-IR spectrometer that
automatically configures its optics and changes instrument components based on the requirements
of the experiment.
The main spectrometer is offered in two configurations: single range/manual multirange and
advanced automated multi-range. The spectrometer hosts the sample compartment, up to two
sources, up to three detectors and various input and output beams, purge shutters, filters and an IR
polarizer. These configurations can be upgraded in a number of ways.
Sample Compartment Accessories
Many different accessories can be installed and used in the spectrometer sample compartment. Each
accessory has unique measurement settings associated with it. These settings are configured
through OMNIC Paradigm software. For more information about the available sample compartment
accessories and basic installation instructions, see "Accessories and Application Modules".
Application Modules
Application modules, such as the Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) module, allow integrated
sampling with the spectrometer while used outside of the main sample compartment. Other modules
Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer User Guide 13
Operation

Operation
are available for Near-IR, GC-IR, Raman, and FT-IR microscopy applications. Each module has an
associated blue button, called a Touch Point, to conduct experiments directly from the iS50
spectrometer.
See"Accessories and Application Modules" for information about the available modules for the iS50
spectrometer.
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Spectrometer Components
This section describes the components of the Nicolet iS50 spectrometer.
See"Accessories and Application Modules" for information about Smart Accessories, other sampling
accessories, optional accessories, and system accessories; and also the optional ATR, GC-IR,
Raman, and NIR application modules.
External Features
The following image identifies the components on the outside of the spectrometer. Some
components are optional and may not be present on your spectrometer. Descriptions of the
components follow the images.
Alternate Configurations
This image shows an iS50 spectrometer with a standard back cover (no ABX installed) and a
standard right side cover (no ATR installed).
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Operation

Operation
Dimensions
The following diagram shows the dimensions of the spectrometer as viewed from the top.
The following diagram shows the dimensions of the spectrometer as viewed from the front.
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The following diagram shows the dimensions of the spectrometer sample compartment.
Power Switch
The power switch is located near the back of the spectrometer on the left side. This switch is used to
turn the spectrometer on and off.
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Operation

Operation
System LEDs
The two LEDs on the spectrometer located next to the power switch indicate system status and
system scan activity.
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SYSTEM STATUS
The system status LED has two modes: steady blue to indicate the system is ready, and blinking
yellow to indicate that an error has occurred. When the spectrometer is first turned on, this LED will
blink blue.
SYSTEM SCAN
The system-scan LED blinks blue with each scan of the interferometer.
Sample Compartment Cover
The sample compartment is located at the front of the spectrometer and is accessible through a
removable cover with an integrated hatch. The cover and hatch provide access to the sample
compartment while keeping the spectrometer purge intact. The cover can be opened or removed for
passing cables and tubes through the sample compartment, accessing the sample slide holder,
changing accessories, and other tasks. The hatch is ideal for working with small samples and
accessories and for changing windows and filters.
The sample compartment cover has two removable subpanels, about the size of a microscope slide,
that can be removed to run additional cabling in and out of the sample compartment as needed.
Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer User Guide 19
Operation

Operation
Spectrometer Cover Locks
The spectrometer covers are equipped with several locks. There are four on the back cover, one on
detector compartment cover, and one on the right side/ATR compartment cover.
Note Additional tools and steps are required to remove the ATR cover. See the iS50 ATR Module
documentation that came with your system.
This is an image of a cover lock in the unlocked position:
To lock the cover, use a flathead screwdriver to turn the lock counterclockwise until the two dots line
up. To unlock, turn the screwdriver clockwise.
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