Operation of the PE Spectrum One FTIR Spectrometer

WARNING! When using the PE Spectrum One FTIR spectrometer, please do not place any liquid containers on or near the instrument or the associated computer. Liquid spills will destroy the electronic components of these instruments.

WARNING! Please to not touch the laser beam transmission windows in the sample compartment of the instrument. These are made of SALT and will be ruined if contacted by moisture from the hands.

Obtaining an IR spectrum with the PE Spectrum One FTIR Spectrometer (ATR accessory NOT attached)
  1. The instrument and computer are in "always on" mode--it is not necessary to turn them on.
  2. Look at the spectrometer indicator panel; you should see all green lights
  3. Make sure the sample compartment is empty.
  4. Move the mouse to wake up the computer, and log in.
  5. From the Windows desktop, double click (DC) on "Spectrum".
  6. Click (C) OK
  7. In Background Collection window, C Background. Then C OK
  8. Place sample in sample compartment.
  9. C OK to "Ready for sample scan."
  10. C "Instrument" in menu.
  11. C Scan
  12. C Sample, enter file name, description, comments.
  13. C Scan, set wavelength range; select scan type (Sample); select units (%R); set scan number (usually 1).
  14. C Apply
  15. C Scan. Spectrum will appear in a few seconds.
Obtaining an IR spectrum with the PE Spectrum One FTIR Spectrometer (ATR accessory attached)
  1. The instrument and computer are in "always on" mode--it is not necessary to turn them on.
  2. Look at the spectrometer indicator panel; you should see all green lights
  3. Make sure the sample compartment is empty.
  4. Move the mouse to wake up the computer.
  5. From the Windows desktop, double click (DC) on "Spectrum".
  6. Click (C) OK
  7. In Accessory Ready Check window, C Background. Then C OK and wait for background to be run.
  8. Load sample on diamond window of sample plate.
  9. C OK to "Ready for sample scan."
  10. C "Instrument" in menu.
  11. C Scan
  12. C Sample, enter file name, description, comments.
  13. C Scan, set wavelength range; select scan type (Sample); select units (%R); set scan number (usually 1).
  14. C Scan. Spectrum One Scan window appears.
  15. Adjust force gauge if necessary.
  16. Spectrum Quality window appears. C "Accept" or "Reject".
    • If "Reject", return to step 9 after reloading sample.
    • If "Accept", spectrum will be autosaved (if name entered in step 12 is a duplicate, you will either have to change the filename or C "overwrite".)
  17. Spectrum will be displayed.
To Correct/Improve Spectrum
  1. C "Process" in the menu
  2. C "Baseline correction"
  3. C Automatic correction; correction will be carried out and the result displayed as FILENAME.002 (look in bottom left corner for names of displayed files).
  4. C "Process" again.
  5. C "Smooth".
  6. C "Autosmooth"; correction will be carried out and the result displayed as FILENAME.003
  7. C "View" in the menu; Click "Format View"; select wavelength range, ordinate range, colors.
  8. To label peaks with wavenumber, C "Process", then click label spectrum.
To print spectrum
  1. Make sure printer switchbox is set to "IR".
  2. In the lower left corner of the screen will be names of all displayed files:
    filename.003
    filename.002
    filename.sp (original uncorrected spectrum)
  3. Delete each file/scan that you DON'T want by selecting the name of the file, then pressing the delete key. This will leave only the desired spectrum displayed.
  4. C on "File" menu.
  5. C Print.

To save the spectrum

  1. use the usual Windows Save routines.
When finished
  1. Close the file
  2. Close the Spectrum window.
  3. LOG OFF of the computer.
  4. Remove sample from sample compartment.