Sample Preparation
Due to different characteristics of each sample, please click the image below for reviewing a guideline on sample preparation prior to visiting the beamline.
Biological & Medical
To monitor molecular information from single cells or complex biological tissue sections at a sub-cellular resolution, SR-IR microspectroscopy is useful to reveal biological variability, biochemical and structural effects of various chemicals and therapeutics as well as to monitor differences in cell cycles or the cellular uptake. Formalin fixation will be useful of biochemical component preservation.
In order to prepare proper biological samples upon experiment which most of them require IR imaging method, it depends on type of those samples.
Tissue sample
For the fresh tissue, it has to be sectioned at 5 – 7 micron-thickness depending on its characteristics and then be deposited on BaF2 or CaF2 windows and stored in a desiccator overnight. Please keep in mind that the samples should not be treated with other chemicals which may affect IR signal.
Cell line sample
The cell sample needs to be washed by 0.85 – 0.9% saline solution to prevent cell disruption and then washed by sterile water quickly before placed on either CaF2 or BaF2 window or Low-e microscope slide. After that, quick drying process using vacuum desiccator is applied to smoothing layered cell line that should not be too thick or thin.
Geological, Archaeological & Environmental
The chemical information of geological, environmental and cultural heritage samples can be measured at the BL4.1 using either modes of transmission or reflection. Applications of FTIR on those fields include analyzing the trace amount of interesting element content, measuring volatile inclusion of glass and minerals, and analyzing chemotaxonomy of early life as well as linking biological correspondence of both microfossils and macro fossils
To optimize samples to be fit into ‘working distance’ of 36X objective, dry solid samples with proper thickness of less than 50 µm or powder sample can be applied into diamond compression cell which is used to apply this type of sample by placing it on diamond slice and then pressing to be thin under the cell for transmittance measurement. In case of an opaque sample, it should be placed on a low-e reflective slide for reflectance measurement. Examples for this type are soil, ancient wood, dried paints, etc.
Materials
The information obtained from samples such as natural, synthetic, or polymeric materials provides the homogeneous or heterogeneous properties, bulk chemistries, orientation and structural conformation achievable using point-by-point or grid collection.
Material sample to be achieved using SR-FTIR can be measured by either transmittance or reflectance method depending on characteristics of sample. In case of transparent film with a thickness of less than 10 microns or powder sample, it is suggested to use a diamond compression cell for transmission mode whereas thick or opaque sample is considered to use reflection mode. Examples are polymer, plastics, thin film, ceramic, etc.
Data Processing and Analysis
Data Acquisition
The OPUS® version 7.8, proprietary software by Bruker Optics Ltd., Ettlingen, Germany (copyright © 2016)
Data Access
Due to SLRI’s cyber security policy, spectral data need to be transferred to the beamline's Network Attached Storage (NAS) that you will be able to download those data from your own computer. To transfer those data must be done within your beamtime.
Data analysis
The Unscrambler® version 10.5 is a commercial program for multivariate data analysis and model prediction (copyright © CAMO Analytics)
The Cytospec is also available for analysis of hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics
Users can access the software either on-site or by remote-access using VPN
Instruction Manuals
Due to licensing and copyright restrictions set by Bruker for FTIR spectroscopy equipment, the operating manual for the Bruker HYPERION 2000 FTIR microscope is not available for digital download or remote distribution. Users may access and consult the printed instruction manual on-site at the beamline facility during their scheduled experimental time. If you require assistance or specific operational guidance prior to your visit, please contact the beamline staff.