PerkinElmer Spotlight 400 Series, User Manual

Page: 48 / 120

48 . Spotlight 400 Series User’s Guide
Sample Preparation
The Spotlight imaging system enables you to examine the sample in the Monitor Visible
window and to select the area where you want to collect images or spectra. To make sure
that you collect good quality spectra, it is important that you prepare samples properly.
Sample preparation is needed when the sample is too thick for transmission work, or the
area of interest is on the inside (for example in a laminated sample).
• If you are going to collect transmission spectra, the sample should ideally be thin
enough (approximately 5 to 20 µm) to give good detail and undistorted absorption
bands.
•
The area of the sample must be large enough to give an adequate signal or the scan
time must be increased.
• Preparing a sample, therefore, often involves flattening it; this both thins it and
increases its area. The sample can be flattened by rolling, squeezing, or pressing.
This chapter tells you how to prepare samples for spectroscopy with the Spotlight imaging
system. It includes:
• A list of useful tools;
• A list of window materials commonly used for mounting samples;
•
Descriptions of special techniques used to prepare particular types of samples.
If you are not familiar with the techniques described here we recommend that you work
through the SpectrumIMAGE on-screen tutorials, which you can access by selecting
Learning
from the Help menu on the main SpectrumIMAGE window.