Embedded Files
Staff Contact: Anne Pham (alpham@lbl.gov)
Instrument Location: 67-4203
Safety Points
Safety Points
You must be authorized to work under WPC activity MF-0001 to operate this instrument.
The staff contact for the FTIR must approve the materials you will be measuring.
Nanoparticles are not allowed in the open air unless bound to a substrate (in this case the ZnSe plate if you are using the HATR assembly counts as your "substrate"). Feel free to use the hood next to this instrument to drop cast your sample from a solvent such as acetone or alcohol.
No mineral acids or corrosives are allowed on the HATR attachment.
DO NOT heat the ZnSe plate! If you are using DMF or another solvent to deposit your sample that does not readily evaporate, you need to switch out solvents with your sample. Heating the plate to speed up the drying WILL crack and destroy the sample plate no matter how gradually you try to do it!
The video provided here offers guidance on using the instrument, but you must still coordinate with the staff member listed above to schedule a formal training.
Standard Operating Procedure
Standard Operating Procedure
This video describes how to use the Perkin Elmer Spectrum One FTIR spectrometer at the Molecular Foundry. It discusses cleaning, swapping between holders, sample loading, and setting up the software to collect your data. This instrument offers both an HATR assembly and a typical film hold for sample measurements. If you have any questions, please reach out to a staff member. We are always happy help!
Common Questions
Common Questions
Q: Something is wrong with the instrument! Why are the peaks of my sample negative?
Q: Something is wrong with the instrument! Why are the peaks of my sample negative?
A: This is the most common question we hear with the FTIR. The problem is not with the instrument but with the background. The software automatically subtracts the background from your sample. If you have residue on the holder when the background is collected and your sample has only a small signal or no signal in the same region as the "dirt," then you will get what looks like a negative peak for your sample. All you need to do is remove your sample, thoroughly clean and dry the sample holder, and start again by collecting a clean background.
Q: Is it possible to collect air-free measurements on this FTIR?
Q: Is it possible to collect air-free measurements on this FTIR?
A: No, we can't run the FTIR air-free (unless you are measuring an oil using our specialty holder, which is sealed in a glove box). However, there is an option to purge the transmission holder with nitrogen using a valve in the back of the system. This is very rarely used, but the staff contact listed above would be happy to walk you through how to purge the sample chamber if this is something you need.
Q: Help! What do I do when the instrument won't connect to the software?
Q: Help! What do I do when the instrument won't connect to the software?
A: Take a deep breath and don't stress too much on this one. This seems to happen about four times a year. I know during training we tell you to NEVER turn off the instrument., but this is the one exception to that rule. If restarting the computer does not fix the problem, power off the FTIR using the switch on the back right, wait no more than 30 seconds, then power the system on again using the same switch. As soon as the red lights on the top instrument status panel turn green, it's okay to restart the software. This should fix the problem every time.
Q: What do I do when there is a red light on the instrument panel?
Q: What do I do when there is a red light on the instrument panel?
A: Contact a staff member. The red light signals that there is a problem with the beam-path and signal from the source is not reaching the detector. The system will let you continue to run, but the results will show noise and be meaningless. The red light always indicates there is a problem requiring replacement parts.
Q: Someone else is on the instrument, but my name is on the calendar reservation tool. What should I do?
Q: Someone else is on the instrument, but my name is on the calendar reservation tool. What should I do?
A: Everyone hears the same speech when we give our training. If your name is on the calendar then you have the right to use the tool. If you do not feel comfortable reminding the user of this then notify any staff member and we can give you an assist. We are used to politely enforcing the rules! :)
Looking for a printable manual to help you take notes? Look no further than here:
Looking for a printable manual to help you take notes? Look no further than here:
Page updated
Report abuse