PerkinElmer Spotlight 400 Series, User Manual

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66 . Spotlight 400 Series User’s Guide
Using the Hot Stage
The optional hot stage (part number N1870184, Figure 20) enables you to study
temperature-dependent phenomena in microsamples. The hot stage consists of a
temperature controller and a heating block that accepts infrared windows. The heating block
contains an integral thermocouple, and the temperature is digitally displayed in degrees
Celsius on the controller. The hot stage can heat samples up to 250 °C in 1 degree
increments. A target temperature can be selected and maintained. The hot stage is held in
the slide clip on the sample stage of the imager. The imager requires no modifications to
accept the hot stage.
Figure 20 The hot stage
The hot stage enables you to study phase transitions and temperature-dependent chemical
reactions. Infrared microscopy can provide detailed molecular structural information for
systems undergoing phase transitions; this information is not available from thermal data
only. Polymers, pharmaceuticals and liquid crystals are examples of materials where
investigations of phase transition are important.
Collecting the Image of a Thick Sample
Lowering the stage using the Z-control on the joystick enables you to focus on a thick
sample. For very thick samples you may have to remove the lower cassegrain assembly; then
only the reflectance or diffuse reflectance sampling modes can be used to view the sample
and collect its image.
To collect the image of a thick sample
1. Click
Zero
on the Control dialog.
The lower cassegrain moves to the position where the infrared beam is focused if no
sample is on the stage.
2. Move the sample stage to its highest possible position.