Automated Infrared Microscope Effectively Analyzes Micro Samples

On August 24, 2016, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI) announced the release of the AIM-9000 infrared microscope. With automated analysis functions and a wide-field camera option, the microscope enables analysts to observe, measure, and analyze micro samples. Laboratories can use this microscope system to perform high-sensitivity analysis in fields such as electrical/electronics, forensics, pharmaceuticals, life science, foods, and chemicals.

In addition to observing large areas up to 10x13 mm, analysts can use the wide field camera and microscope camera together to zoom and position areas as small as 30x40 μm without loss or repositioning of the sample. The microscope has a 30,000:1 signal-to-noise ratio which allows users to obtain spectra from small contaminants for library matching and identification.

The microscope also features automatic contaminant recognition and registration. The microscopes software automatically selects potential areas for analysis and suggests optimal aperture sizes and angles. The user can then select all for analysis, select none, or add their own manually with a mouse click-and-drag operation. All selected sample images are saved into the measured spectral file.

The system contains a visible/infrared dual view system. This allows users to measure infrared spectra while simultaneously checking a visible image of the sample. This provides for more confident measurements and decreases measurement time. Analysts can also use the high-speed mapping program, which captures microscope images and synthesizes them to create visual images for large areas.

Source: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments