Discussion Category: FT-IR Spectrophotometers

Problems during collecting background

Hello to everybody, My name is Francisco and I am the manager of the Electronic Service of the University of La Laguna. We have a FTIR Spectrometer that came to our Lab with the following problem: Each time I try to collect a backgroud, I receive the same message "return to endstop timed out" I've run the monitor program to check the laser energy and the value only reaches 5mV but when I open the lid the laser seems to be working and so the IR source since I'm able to see the laser and IR trace in the sample carrier. The moving mirror is working too so I guess that the system needs a mechanical adjustment however I don't have the procedure adjustment. Can anybody help me with this issue? Thanks a lot In advance,

Mon Aug 30 2021

Asked by

fbarreto3054

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3 years agoReply by

Berridit

Hi Francisco

The Laser energy needs to be 16 volts with a Paragon type FTIR. Firstly, does the Laser beam through the sample area look like a sharp spot and not blurred?

If you follow the Laser into the covered compartment, it will hit a smal mirror first, just behind the sample area enclosure. This should be central on the mirror.. From there it passes through the clear area in the beamsplitter and will hit the fixed mirror in the interferometer. This should be a clean spot and not blurred on the casing. If there is any blurring, then the beamsplitter amy be faulty.

The will be 2 adjustments on the laser base that you should first adjust making sure you acheive the highest value. Then, very carefully and with very small adjustments, adjust the 2 screw on the interferometer, which can be accessed via the 2 rubber plug holes in the plastic case above the interferometer. These should only be adjusted with absolute care, always remembering how far adjustments have been made. This should really be done by an experienced person with respect to you.

Please keep me posted

Ian

iberridge@isocount.com

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3 years agoReply by

fbarreto3054

Hi, Ian,

First of all thanks a lot for your reply, I do appreciate it.

As you have told me I suspect that we have the problem located at the beamsplitter since it shows a strange aspect. However I would like to know your opinion about. Can I send you some pictures in order to know if I am right?

Otherwise, I'm afraid tha we don't have the same model than you have referred. Our´s does not have a plastic cover above the interferometer, I would send you a picture if you prefer. Our model is Perkin Elmer Spectrum One.

Best regards,

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3 years agoReply by

Berridit

Hi Francisco

OK, apologies as that Message was common for the older models.

Indeed, feel free to send any pictures you have.

So when turning on, does the scan coil move smoothly?

Are you monitoring the energy using the software?

My email is iberridge@isocount.com

Mobile is +447908408854

I used to be the Perkinelmer European Service Specialist for IR products, so hope to help.