Optical Microscope

Nikon visible light microscope is now placed at the beamline user's hutch. It is available for users close to the benchtop instrument. Samples can be examined first with optical microscope to identify the region of interest to be studied with synchrotron based FTIR microspectroscopy. The microscope has the option to illuminate with light in the ranges 450-520nm and 550-600nm, as well as UV light for the fluorescence imaging. Moreover bright field and phase contrast imaging are also available. This is very important for biological and biomedical applications, especially in single cell and tissue analysis, prior the samples are brought to the beamline. Additionally visible light reflection imaging is very useful tool for material science, but also for archeological studies.

Stereo Microscope

The beamline is equipped with a Stereomicroscope "Nikon SMZ445". The microscope allows magnification between 8x-35x with a zoom range of 0.8-3.5X (zoom ration 4.4:1). The working distance is 100mm and the eyepiece inclination is 45°. With the diascopic/ episcopic LED Stand, these microscopes let you observe a wide range of specimens, from Petri dishes to plants, insects, small animals and minerals.

Live cells setup

MIRAS beamline is equipped with an in-house built sample chamber dedicated for the study of live cells.
The live-cell setup includes a copper stage around the "sandwich" system to maintain a stable temperature, a component to isolate that part from the rest of the microscope stage, and temperature controllers. To achieve the optimal temperature for live cell investigations, the system needs to be started 10 minutes in advance. The system is also equipped with a ramp temperature feature for the copper plate to reach different temperatures if needed. The setup is fully operational, ensuring real-time data and efficient performance.

Temperature-controlled Microscope Stages

The Linkam temperature controlled sample stage FTIR600 allows infrared analysis of samples from -196 up to 600°C, at heating rates of up to 150°C/min and cooling rates of 100°C/min with a temperature stability of <0.1°C. The sample can be placed within a central gas tight chamber for atmospheric control. The stage can be used for samples in either transmission or reflection mode with the 15x objective.

The ATR accessory in the Vertex 70 spectrometer

The Bruker Platinum ATR is a single reflection diamond ATR attachment in the Bruker spectrometer to analyze powder and liquids more easily and is available at the MIRAS beamline. The strong diamond crystal allows for the analysis of all kinds of liquid and solid samples in the broad infrared ranges. Some key features include:
- Diamond ATR with all reflective, and no fragile composite material construction
- Spectral range: 10 000cm-1 to 10cm-1
- Ergonomic one-finger clamp mechanism with pressure control

Variable angle reflection accessory

BRUKER's variable angle reflection accessory A513 allows Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (IRRAS) of monolayers or thin film samples. The setup is computer controlled. The incidence and collection angles can be independently adjusted between 13 to 83 degrees. The sample holder for solid substrates accepts the dimensions of max. 40x60mm² and min. ca. 40x20mm².

Inhouse-built tensile stage

The stage allows testing the tensile properties of your film or fiber samples and capturing high resolution infrared images of the structural changes. The stage is designed to cover a big field of view (66 mm x 20 mm). In addition, the compact design makes it possible to work with high resolution and low working distance objectives (36x). The tensile speed can be set from 1 to 60 μm/s, with a precision of 1 μm. The force on the sample can be measured continuously with a tensile force sensor ranging from 0 N to 20 N and an accuracy of 0.02%. In addition, the sample can be placed in a closed chamber with separating windows for humidity and atmospheric control during measurements.

Diamond Anvil Cells (DAC) for High Pressure

A diamond anvil cell for high pressure measurements is available at the beamline. The maximum pressure is up to 100 GPa. The diamonds are type IIac (nitrogen free, suitable for FTIR measurements). The culet size: 300μm. Fits with a working distance under the microscope of 28 mm, therefore, it matches well with the 15 x Schwarzschild magnification objective.

Freeze-dryer (Lyophilizator)

In many cases dried samples are necessary for FTIR microspectroscopy. To avoid chemical changes in the samples by the chemical fixation method, the freeze-drying method could be applied.
Freeze-drying allows the direct sublimation of ice to the gas phase, by reducing the surrounding pressure, i.e. by using vacuum. Our home-made freeze-dryer allows sample preparation within two days at the MIRAS hutch.

Micro-compression Cell

A diamond compression cell could be used for sample preparation for transmission studies. The cell uses two 13 mm diameter, IR-transparent diamond windows to sandwich a sample under moderate compression. This supports, flattens and thins the sample for analysis. In addition the cell enables measurements under moderate pressures.