Perkin-Elmer MultiScope System, User Reference

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Tutorial: Using the Microscope . 55
Transmittance Spectrum of a Flattened Fiber
In this section you prepare a flattened fiber sample and collect its transmittance
spectrum. You can use any convenient organic fiber as the sample in these
procedures, provided it is small enough in diameter to give a transmittance
spectrum. Wool or nylon from a sweater is ideal; polyester fibers are suitable; hair
may be too thick.
Flattening a fiber sample before you collect its spectrum decreases its optical
density. Flattening also increases the area, so that you need fewer scans to obtain
an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio.
Other Equipment Needed
Scissors
Roller knife (or other tools for cutting and flattening) or Scalpel
Forceps
Sample holder (3x1)
Glass microscope slide
Adhesive tape (Sellotape or Scotch tape)
The roller knife and forceps are included in the microscope sample preparation kit
(N187 0151); for more information contact your local PerkinElmer office or agent.
The sample holder is provided with the Microscope.
Preparing the flattened fiber sample
1. With forceps, place the fiber on the microscope slide.
2. Hold the fiber with the forceps and use the knife end of the roller knife to cut
the fiber so that it is just long enough to stretch across one of the holes on
the 3
x
1 sample holder.
3. Flatten a short section of the fiber against the glass with the roller end of the
roller knife or the handle of the scissors.
4. With forceps or a probe, transfer a flattened piece of fiber to the 3
x
1 sample
holder.
5. Stretch the sample across the hole and, using small pieces of adhesive tape,
attach the fiber to the sample holder.
The fiber should be under tension and the flattened part should be roughly in
the middle of the hole.
The sample is ready to use.