PerkinElmer Spotlight 400 Series, User Manual

Page: 28 / 120

28 . Spotlight 400 Series User’s Guide
A Guided Tour of the Spotlight Imaging System
The Spotlight 400 series imaging systems enable you to collect images from extremely small
samples. The PerkinElmer cassegrain collection optics give high-performance infrared
microspectroscopy. The imager includes a camera and viewing system that magnifies the
visible-light image of the sample so that you can see, position, and isolate a point of interest.
The SpectrumIMAGE software enables you to control the operation of your imaging system
and to collect an image of the sample, which is displayed in the Monitor Visible window.
A range of detectors is available for the Spotlight 400 imaging system. The standard MCT
(Mercury Cadmium Telluride) detector collects images over a spectral range of 7800 cm
−1
to
710 cm
−1
. The Spotlight with Long Wavelength option collects images over an extended
range of 7800 cm
−1
to 580 cm
−1
. For work in the near-infrared region, the InGaAs (Indium
Gallium Arsenide) detector offers improved performance between 7800 cm
-1
and 3900 cm
−1
and, unlike the MCT detectors, does not require cooling with liquid nitrogen.
The imager includes the following features:
• A high-performance cassegrain mirror system; this has a wide collection angle (high
numerical aperture) and is highly efficient in collecting infrared radiation for
microspectroscopy.
•
Images or spectra can be collected using reflectance, diffuse reflectance or
transmittance sampling modes; these have different detector gain settings to help
optimize the quality of data from a variety of samples.
•
Array and single point detectors for collecting either IR images or spectra from a single
point.
• Internal coaxial LED illumination, with variable intensity.
• An automatic infrared aperture that closes to the size and rotation selected when you
choose a scan or monitor command in Point mode.
•
A motorized stage, controlled by a joystick and the SpectrumIMAGE software, that
enables you to find points on your sample and focus the imager.
• SpectrumIMAGE software to control the operation of the imager; for example, selecting
Image mode or Point mode, focus, illumination, stage position, adjusting the correction,
and changing sampling modes.
• Auto-correction to optimize the position of the lower cassegrain for maximum energy
throughput in Image mode.
•
Dual-resolution IR imaging (6.25 µm and 25 µm).
•
An optional micro-ATR objective for data collection from optically thick and non--
reflective samples. (This is mainly applicable to mid-infrared applications.)
• Data collection, post-run processing and multi-dimensional graphic display facilities for
IR and visible images.
• The same cassegrain is used to send both infrared radiation and visible light to the
remote aperture. The imager continuously views and monitors infrared concurrently;
there is no beampath switching between visible and infrared.
•
The lower cassegrain can be removed. This provides space for thick samples to be
studied in reflectance or diffuse relectance mode.