Thermo Scientific Nicolet Continuum, User Manual

Page: 166 / 195

Thermo Scientific 162
Symptom Possible Cause Solution
Signal is weak with a sample
in beam path.
Infrared energy from
spectrometer is low.
Set Sample Compartment to Main and verify
that infrared energy level in spectrometer
sample compartment is normal (check signal
intensity on Bench tab in Experiment Setup
dialog box). Find “parameters” in OMNIC
Help system Index and go to “Bench
features,” if you need help.
Sample is too thick. Make sure sample is properly prepared.
See
the “Microscope Basic Sampling” tutorial,
available through the OMNIC Help menu for
information about sample preparation.
Infrared polarizers, if used, are
set incorrectly.
Make sure polarizers are adjusted properly.
See “Polarization options” in the “Advanced
Techniques” chapter, if you need help.
Nomarski prisms (used for
DIC) are in place.
Remove prisms. See “Polarization options”
in “Advanced Techniques” chapter, if you
need help.
Infrared objective is not
centered.
Contact technical support for assistance.
Signal is weak with a sample
in beam path, continued…
Stage bumped the condenser or
objective
Center and focus the condenser and focus the
objective. See “Preparing the optics” in the
“Preparing the Microscope” chapter.
When you are finished, run the Noise Test in
transmission and reflection modes.
See
“Testing microscope performance” later in
this chapter if you need help.
If the image cannot be brought into sharp
focus, performance has dropped off, or the
Noise Test fails, contact technical support.
continued…