Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 GC-IR User manual

Nicolet iS50 Spectrometer
iS50 ATR Module
User Guide
269-277500 Revision A June 2012

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Thermo Scientific iS50 ATR Module User Guide 1
1
iS50 ATR Module
The optional iS™50 ATR module offers convenient, reproducible attenuated total reflection
(ATR) sampling with the Nicolet™ iS50 spectrometer.
Figure 1. Nicolet iS50 spectrometer with optional iS50 ATR module
The iS50 ATR module provides these enhanced features:
•Built-indesign
• Push button configuration
• All-reflective diamond optics
• Dedicated broad-band detector
• Extended spectral range
The iS50 ATR module mounts in the main cover of the spectrometer.
iS50 ATR module

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For information about additional sampling modules and accessories for your Nicolet iS50
spectrometer, contact our sales representative in your area.
For general information about the ATR technique including processing, searching and
analyzing ATR spectra, refer to the document or help topic titled “Tips for ATR Sampling.”
Conventions Used in this Document or Help System
This manual uses these conventions for providing safety and other special information:
Contents
•Important Features
•Specifications
•Compatible Software
•Operating Precautions
•Operation
•Compatible Samples
•Your First Experiment
•Sampling Accessories for the ATR Module
•Maintenance
•Troubleshooting
NOTICE Be sure that all persons operating this system read the site and safety manual
first.
NOTICE Follow instructions with this label to avoid damaging the system hardware or
losing data.
Note Contains helpful supplementary information.
Tip Provides helpful information that can make a task easier.

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Thermo Scientific iS50 ATR Module User Guide 3
Important Features
Figure 2. iS50 ATR module features
The iS50 ATR module features include:
•Diamond crystal. A robust, durable material for ATR sampling. The crystal is brazed to
the crystal plate to maximize strength and chemical resistance.
• Crystal plate. The stainless-steel mount for the diamond crystal. The crystal plate is
permanently sealed to protect internal mirrors and optimize purge performance.
•Sampling plate. This plate can be removed for cleaning or sterilizing.
•Pressure tower. The pressure tower is a mechanical press used to achieve uniform contact
between a solid or powder sample and the ATR crystal (up to 267 N or 60 lbs of force).
The arm swings out of the way for easy access to the sampling area. The pressure tower
can be removed when analyzing only liquids.
•Pressure tip. The ATR module comes with two stainless-steel tip styles that can be used
to optimize contact between the sample and the diamond crystal. The extra tip can be
stored on the pressure arm.
•ATR Touch Point. This button automatically configures the spectrometer for ATR
sampling. The Touch Point LED shows the status of the ATR module. The LED has
three states described below.
Diamond crystal
Crystal plate
Sampling plate
Pressure tower
Pressure tip
Extra Pressure tip
and tip storage
ATR Touch Point

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Table 1. iS50 ATR status indicator states
The ATR module spectral range options are the same as for the spectrometer and are
dependent upon the spectrometer configuration. Refer to the spectrometer help topics or user
guide for more information.
Specifications
Table 2. iS50 ATR module specifications
LED status Meaning
On Ready for use
Off System is not configured for ATR sampling
Blinking Optics are reconfiguring
Feature Specification
Crystal material Diamond, Type IIa
Crystal shape, size Round, 2.8 mm (0.11 in) diameter
Sampling zone 2 mm (0.08 in)
Refractive index 2.4 @ 1000 cm-1
Angle of incidence 45 degrees (single bounce)
Depth of penetration 2.0 micrometers at 1000 cm-1 for a sample material that
has refractive index of 1.5
Maximum sample thickness 12.7 mm (0.5 in)
Useful pH range 1 to 14
Pressure arm maximum force 267 Newtons (60 lbs)
Detector Dedicated broad-band DTGS (deuterated triglycine
sulfate)

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Compatible Software
Table 3. Software compatible with the iS50 ATR module
Operating Precautions
To maximize the life of your ATR accessory or module, heed these precautions:
• Do not apply pressure to the bare crystal (the pressure tower should not be used for the
background collection).
• Do not use the pressure device to crush a sample.
• Do not apply pressure to the crystal for extended periods.
• Make sure your sample will not react with the ATR crystal or crystal plate. Each material
has unique characteristics. Please refer to the “Specifications” section for details.
• Do not scrape the crystal with extremely hard materials such as corundum, or with a knife
to remove particles.
Software Use for...
OMNIC™ Configuring the ATR workflow, including quantitative analysis and
spectral search, and collecting and analyzing ATR spectra. For more
information, see “Your First Experiment.”
To improve search results using a transmission reference library, use
the Advanced ATR Correction feature in OMNIC software. For more
information, refer to the “About the Advanced ATR Correction tool”
topic in “Tips for ATR Sampling,” or open OMNIC Help Topics and
find the “Using Advanced ATR Correction” topic.
OMNIC Specta™ Analyzing unknowns. This software includes enhanced algorithms, a
spectral database and features for using your computer’s hard drive as a
library. OMNIC Specta also offers a unique multi-component search
feature that makes it easy to identify the spectra of mixtures.
TQ Analyst™ Creating quantitative and classification methods that can be used with
OMNIC software. For more information, see the help system in your
TQ Analyst software.
NOTICE
• The diamond crystal, while very robust, can be broken if small, very hard materials
(like cement or metal beads) are compressed against it at maximum pressure, or if the
pressure tip is not centered on the crystal.
• Do not use the ATR module with concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) or potassium
dichromate (K2Cr2O7); they will react with the diamond crystal.

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• Do not use abrasive cleaning agents, pads or strongly acidic or basic solutions to clean
metallic surfaces of the accessory as these will damage the finish.
Operation
This section covers the following topics:
•Using the Pressure Tower
•Changing the Pressure Tip
•Removing and Installing the Sampling Plate
Using the Pressure Tower
Figure 3. Pressure tower features
Use the large knob to raise and lower the pressure arm. When using the arm to apply pressure
to a sample, rotate the control knob clockwise until you feel and hear a click. At this point the
maximum force (267 N or 60 lbs) is achieved and additional rotation of the control knob has
no effect. This mechanism is designed to protect the crystal from damage.
To raise the pressure arm, turn the control knob counterclockwise.
NOTICE Be certain the pressure is fully released before you move the pressure arm
horizontally.
To use the pressure tower ( watch video)
Pressure control knob
Pressure arm in sampling position
Pressure arm in
resting position

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The pressure arm rotates to the side for sampling liquids or changing the tip. The pressure
tower can be removed if necessary. See “Installing and Removing the Pressure Arm” for more
information.
Changing the Pressure Tip
Figure 4. Pressure tip features
The tip can be screwed on and off while the pressure arm is raised. Move the arm to the
resting position for easy access. The following tip styles are available.
NOTICE
• Move the pressure arm away from the sampling area before you change the tip.
• Make sure the tip is properly threaded. The base of the tip should press against the
pressure arm when fully installed.
• Do not use tools to loosen or tighten a pressure tip. Using tools may damage the tip.
• Do not overtighten the tips.
To change the pressure tip ( watch video)
Pressure tip (installed)
Extra tip

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The extra tip can be stored on the pressure arm.
Removing and Installing the Sampling Plate
Figure 5. Sampling plate features
Move the pressure arm to the sampling position (shown above) before you remove the
sampling plate.
To release the sampling plate, lift the back edge. To reinstall it, gently press down on the plate
until it seals against the O-ring around the crystal plate.
Table 4. Tip styles
Tip style Use with...
Flat The end of this tip is flat, which makes it ideal for measuring films
and flat plastics as well as tiny shavings and fibers. This is a general
purpose tip style.
Concave The end of this tip is slightly concave to allow good contact with
powders and curved solids such as a tablet or polymer bead.
NOTICE
• Make sure the sampling plate is installed before you place a sample on the ATR
crystal.
• Avoid damaging or contaminating the ATR internal optics. Keep samples and other
lab materials away from the ATR module when the sampling plate has been removed.
Sampling plate