NanoIR2 upgrade with mIRage and Raman

The Globe institute is a department on the University of Copenhagen that specializes in cross disciplinary themes from origin of life and the history of and evolution of life on Earth by studying and analyzing samples from all over the world as well as samples produced in the lab.

The upgrade will improve the current AFM setup by adding a set of quantum cascade lasers. These new lasers will in tandem with a new surface sensitive mode increase the sensitivity of the setup by orders of magnitude. Along with the upgrade we will procure a mIRage that will use the same set of lasers by means of a laser switch. This system also comes equipped with a Raman that will enable simultaneous recording of IR and Raman spectra from the same spot on the sample.

The intended procurement complements the existing NanoIR II systems in our Lab. The new upgrade with the mIRage addition must be compatible to the existing setup to ensure internal comparability, data reproducibility as well as alignment with the existing systems. Furthermore, it is essential to enable the use of the same tips, sample holders and other accessories already purchased with the existing systems to avoid purchasing unnecessary extra (similar but not identical) equipment.

• The upgrade will be based on optical photothermal IR spectroscopic techniques.

• Measurement methodology on optical photothermal IR spectroscopic techniques must be contact-free i.e. it should be no physical contact between the microscope and the sample to modify the sample by an external pressure.

• Detection of the IR signal must be made by the visible probe laser and detector in the visible light range.

• The optical photothermal IR upgrade can be used in both reflection and transmission.

• The same IR laser can be used both single point spectroscopy and single (discrete) frequency imaging.

• The spectral resolution between 800-1850 cm-1 must be better than or equal to 2 cm-1.

• The spatial resolution in the range of 800-1850 cm-1 must be better than 1 micron and should also be independent of wavelength.

• IR microscope upgrade will be able to collect spectra and perform hyperspectral imaging of areas that are at least 1 x 1 mm.

• IR microscope upgrade to be able to collect spectra and perform hyperspectral imaging of samples that are relatively thick, analysis of at least 1 cm thick samples is required.

• IR microscope upgrade can be integrated with Raman microscope to enable simultaneous IR and Raman measurements with same xy-resolution

• The same IR laser need to be used with the optical photothermal upgrade as well as with the existing NanoIR2 Photothermal IR system

The O-PTIR technology is a new revolutionary IR technology and was commercialized in 2018 by Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp (PSC). PSC holds the exclusive license and patents (see list below) of this protected technology and is the only company with a production O-PTIR microscope with simultaneous IR and Raman from Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp.

Blue Scientific, is the only distributor who can legally offer for sale, these instruments, in Denmark.

Patent Summary.

US 9,091,594 B2, US9,841,324 B2: Exclusive license to patent from U.S. Naval Research Lab regarding sub-diffraction infrared photothermal spectroscopic imaging

US20180246032A1: Exclusive license to patent applications from Notre Dame University regarding sub-diffraction

infrared photothermal spectroscopic imaging, including counter-propagating optical path

US20180088041A1: Exclusive license to patent from Purdue University regarding sub-micron infrared photothermal spectroscopic imaging, including transmission detection, measurements in liquid, and live cell imaging

WO 2018/102470 A1, WO 2018/102467 A1, US 2018/0180642 A1, US 2019/0120753 A1, US 10,942,116, US 10,969,405: PSC patent applications and issued patents including co-located O-PTIR and Raman microscopy and other features

US 10,809,184: PSC patent related to noise reduction in O-PTIR