Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 GC-IR User manual

Nicolet iS50 FT-IR Spectrometers
iS50 Raman Module
User Guide
269-278000 Revision A July 2012

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Thermo Scientific iS50 Raman Module User Guide 1
1
iS50 Raman Module
This section describes the optional Thermo Scientific iS50 Raman module which allows you
to collect FT-Raman spectra with your Nicolet™ iS™50 spectrometer.
Figure 1. Nicolet iS50 spectrometer with iS50 Raman module installed
iS50 Raman module
The iS50 Raman module mounts in the spectrometer sample compartment.

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2iS50 Raman Module User Guide Thermo Scientific
Conventions Used in this Document
This manual uses these conventions for providing safety and other special information:
Contents
•About the iS50 Raman module
•Important Features
•Specifications
•Compatible Software
•Safety Considerations
•Operating Precautions
•FT-Raman Sampling
•Compatible Samples
•Configuring the Raman Module
•Installing the Raman Module
•Operation
•Preparing Samples
•Sampling Options
•Your First Experiment
•Removing the Raman Module
•Doing Experiments with Macros
•Maintenance
•Troubleshooting
NOTICE Be sure that all persons operating this system read the site and safety manual
first.
WARNING Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.

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Thermo Scientific iS50 Raman Module User Guide 3
About the iS50 Raman module
The iS50 Raman module provides these enhanced features:
• Compact, integrated design
• Push button configuration with the optional ABX (Automatic Beamsplitter eXchanger)
• Long wavelength (low energy) excitation laser
• Dedicated detector
• Motorized sample stage
•Built-invideocamera
• Superior Raman sensitivity
• Small beam spot size
• Sample screening capabilities using our sampling templates and cluster analysis software.
The Raman module works with our ValPro™ qualification package and security
administration software and allows digital signatures and IQ-OQ-PQ-DQ certification.
Please refer to your ValPro and OMNIC™ DS documentation for more information. For
information about additional sampling modules for the Nicolet iS50 spectrometer, contact
our sales representative in your area.
Related Topics
•Important Features
CAUTION 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.
Tip Provides helpful information that can make a task easier.

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4iS50 Raman Module User Guide Thermo Scientific
Important Features
Figure 2. iS50 Raman module features
The iS50 Raman module features include:
•Raman sample compartment. Allows access to the Raman sampling area and sample
stage. The stage accommodates a variety of sample holders that can be quickly
interchanged.
A laser emission indicator (see below) tells you when the laser beam is present in the
sample compartment. Two independent safety interlocks ensure the laser beam is blocked
when the sample compartment door is open.
•Motorized sample stage. Used to mount a sample or sample tray in the Raman module
and to position the area of interest under the laser for analysis. Fine motor control in all
directions and built-in video camera allow precise positioning for very small samples.
•Sample compartment Touch Point. Configures the spectrometer for Raman sampling
and shows the status of the Raman module. The Touch Point LED has three states
described below.
Table 1. Sample compartment Touch Point indicator states
LED status Meaning
Off Raman module is not installed or connected properly
Blinking Optics are configuring for Raman sampling
On Raman module is ready for use
Raman sample compartment
Motorized sample stage
Laser emission indicator
Sample compartment
Touch Point
Sample holder

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Thermo Scientific iS50 Raman Module User Guide 5
•Laser emission indicator. Shows the status of the excitation laser inside the Raman
module. When this LED is lit, the laser is on. For more information, see “Tu r n i n g o n t h e
Laser and Adjusting the Laser Power.”
•Video USB cable. Allows the software to communicate with the video camera in the
Raman module. One end of the cable plugs into the Sample Compartment Accessory
port on the back of the spectrometer. The other end connects to any type A USB port on
the system computer.
•Electrical connector. Provides power to the Raman module and communication with the
spectrometer. For more information, see “Installing the Raman Module.”
Figure 3. iS50 Raman module back panel
Related Topics
•About the iS50 Raman module
•Installing the Raman Module
•Turning on the Laser and Adjusting the Laser Power
Note Two independent safety interlocks ensure the laser beam is blocked when the
sample compartment door is open.
NOTICE Do not leave samples inside the sample compartment for extended periods
when the laser is on.
Electrical connector

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Specifications
Table 2. iS50 Raman module specifications
Related Topics
•About the iS50 Raman module
•FT-Raman Sampling
•Turning on the Laser and Adjusting the Laser Power
Compatible Software
Feature Specification
Excitation source 1064 nm laser
Maximum power: 0.5 W
Reference interferogram source White light
Beamsplitter Calcium fluoride (CaF2)
or extended range potassium bromide (XT-KBr),
(located in the spectrometer)
Detector Dedicated Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs),
(located in the spectrometer)
Table 3. Software used to run the iS50 Raman module
Software Use for...
OMNIC Configuring the Raman workflow, including quantitative analysis and
spectral search. Also, selecting sampling templates and processing
Raman spectra. For more information, see “Your First Expe riment” or
open OMNIC Help Topics from the Help menu in OMNIC
software.
OMNIC Raman Collecting and processing Raman data. For more information, open
the Raman menu in OMNIC software and select Raman Help Topics.
View™ Enhanced sample viewing and capturing and annotating video images.
The software works with a microscope video system and video image
to allow the image from the camera to be displayed on the computer
monitor and recorded.
TQ Analyst
Professional
Edition
Creating quantitative and classification methods that can be used with
OMNIC software. This software provides an extensive suite of
chemometrics features including Partial Least Squares and other
advanced algorithms for quantitative analysis and material
identification. For more information, open the Help menu in
TQ Analyst software and select TQ Analyst Help Topics.

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Thermo Scientific iS50 Raman Module User Guide 7
Related Topics
•Your First Experiment
Safety Considerations
The use of redundant safety interlocks on the main cover of the Raman module and on the
Raman sample compartment cover prevent accidental exposure to invisible laser radiation.
The presence of a strong magnetic field in the area may interfere with or defeat the safety
interlocks.
Related Topics
•Turning on the Laser and Adjusting the Laser Power
•Your First Experiment
Table 4. Optional Software for the iS50 Raman module
Software Use for...
Atls™ Performing automated data collection and spectral mapping
experiments as well as image analysis with the iS50 Raman module.
You can automatically collect different types of compositional maps
and display the collected data in a variety of formats. You can also
create reports containing map data and print contour maps, 3-D
displays, and comprehensive video images of the sample. For more
information, open the Atls menu in OMNIC software and select
Atls Help Topics.
Array Automation Collecting and processing data from groups of samples that are
arranged in an ordered array. The array may be rectangular as provided
by a micro-titer well plate or linear if capillary tubes are being used.
For more information, open the Array menu in OMNIC software and
select Array Help Topics.
OMNIC Specta™ Analyzing unknowns. OMNIC Specta software includes our unique
multi-component search feature for identifying the spectra of
mixtures, a 9,000 compound spectral database, and features for using
your computer’s hard drive as a spectral library. For more information,
open the Help menu in OMNIC Specta software and select the
Software Help Topics item.
WARNING Avoid laser hazard. Keep all magnets and strong magnetic fields (such as those
produced by mass spectrometers and some kinds of medical equipment) away from the
Raman module, and do not attempt to defeat the safety interlocks on the module housing
and sample compartment cover—hazardous exposure to laser radiation could occur.

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Operating Precautions
• Do not pour liquids directly onto the Raman module.
• Do not use harsh detergents, chemicals or abrasives to clean the surface of the Raman
module; these can damage the finish. For cleaning instructions and recommended
solvents, see “Maintenance.”
• Always place samples on a sample holder and then load the holder on the sample stage.
Do not place a sample directly on the stage.
• Before you install a sample holder on the sample stage, ensure the height of the holder
plus the sample (or the sample container) does not exceed 2.5 cm (1.0 in). Materials
above the maximum height may break inside the module or damage delicate mirrors and
motors located behind or above the stage. If those components appear soiled or damaged,
contact our local sales or service representative for assistance.
• Avoid spilling samples or solvents in the Raman sample compartment. Clean the residue
tray regularly; see “Cleaning the Residue Tray” for instructions.
• Do not allow moisture or cleaning products to come into contact with any part of the
interior of your sample stage. Do not attempt to clean any internal components, and do
not touch any optical surface inside the Raman sample compartment.
• Store the Raman module right side up.
Related Topics
•Raman Sample Holders
•Installing a Sample Holder
•Cleaning the Raman Module Housing
•Cleaning the Sample Stage
•Cleaning the Residue Tray
•Storing the Raman Module
FT-Raman Sampling
Monochromatic light from the excitation laser in the iS50 Raman module is directed to the
sample. When the light strikes the sample, the sample emits Raman radiation; in effect, the
sample becomes the “source” of radiation. This radiation travels through the Raman module
and spectrometer optics to a dedicated detector located in the spectrometer. The laser light,
on the other hand, does not travel past the Raman sample compartment.