Sub-micron spatial resolution
Overcoming the greatest limitations of IR spectroscopy
The mIRage is sub-micron IR spectroscopy and imaging system. O-PTIR is a proprietary technique that breaks the diffraction limit of infrared. It bridges the gap between conventional IR micro-spectroscopy and nanoscale IR spectroscopy.
mIRage overcomes the greatest issues in IR microscopy:
Sub-micron spatial resolution
No need for thin sections
In reflection mode
A tunable, pulsed mid-IR laser is focused on the sample’s surface. This causes photothermal effects, which are then measured using a visible probe laser.
Submicron infrared can be combined with Raman for simultaneous IR and Raman on the same spot, with the same resolution. This is a world first, opening up a whole new range of research possibilities.
“We were very happy with all of our interactions with Blue Scientific from getting the initial quote, sorting out the design and configurations and overseeing the installation.”
Dr Alice Spadea, North West Centre for Advanced Drug Delivery, The University of Manchester
Left: Prof. Peter Gardner, Dr Alice Spadea and Dr Johanna Denbigh with the mIRage at The University of Manchester.
With higher spatial resolution than traditional IR microscopy, O-PTIR is ideal for polymer science and materials development.
Left: Multilayer packaging film block face sample with spectra collected from manually selected locations, with little to no sample preparation. The spectra show the different composition of each layer.
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O-PTIR opens up new applications for infrared in life science. Unlike traditional IR, it’s suitable for liquid and solid samples, so it can be used to study living systems, and you can measure rough, hard, soft or sticky samples. The visible optical beam can be focussed 20 times smaller than the IR beam, for significantly enhanced spatial resolution.
Left: Live, hydrated epithelial cheek cells in water. Key macromolecules can be distiguished in the spectraand spatially isolated. A lipid inclusion as small as 0.5-1 µm is resolved easily. The spectra are not corrected for water so are inclusive of water absorbance.
More about sub-micron IR in life science
Examples of life science applications with O-PTIR
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O-PTIR can measure sub-micron particles and fibres in far field reflection mode, delivering FTIR transmission-like spectral quality regardless of particle shape and size. When coupled with simultaneous Raman, it provides even more thorough and accurate characterisation of microplastics and particulates.
Left: PS and PMMA dispersed in saline.
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Identify small features, defects and contaminants on tech products of ever decreasing size, to satisfy strict control standards. O-PTIR gives you sub-micron spatial resolution in non-contact reflection mode, for product quality and process control.
Left: Failure analysis of technological components, comparing unknown O-PTIR and Raman spectra with library matches for a 6 µm defect.
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Analyse fibres as small as 800 nm to 22 microns, and fibres with surface treatments. Fibres can be analysed directly without modification or sampling accessories, and without the traditional problems encountered with infrared. More details…
Paint analysis with O-PTIR + Raman delivers thorough chemical characterisation of paint cross-sections, providing rich information on their organic and inorganic composition at high spatial resolution (less than 1 µm). Watch a recorded webinar…
Left: Optical image of a fabric sample. The marker points to where ~0.5 µm IR spectra were acquired using mIRage. Strong absorbance at 1732 cm-1 indicates a carbonyl stretch of polyester.
In this drug/polymer blend sample, a reflection mode single wavelength image (50 x 50 µm) highlights distribution of the drug (dexamethasone) in a PLGA polymer matrix.
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This examples shows O-PTIR and Raman spectral information collected in reflection mode from a ~6 μm wide contamination particle. The spectra were collected simultaneously from the same spot in reflection mode. The O-PTIR spectrum is fully comparable an FTIR transmission/ATR database. Full experiment details..
View all solutions for polymer analysis.
Simultaneous infrared and Raman Microscopy - a world first, using the mIRage IR microscope from Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp.
A scientific paper has been published using O-PTIR in Alzheimer's Disease research, to study amyloid protein aggregation directly in neurons.
Watch videos of the talks from our online workshop "O-PTIR in Life Science".
For the first time, optical photothermal IR was used to study malignant and non-malignant lung cells. Glass substrates were used without blocking mid-IR spectra, and >90% accuracy for cell classification was achieved.
Optical Photothermal IR is a breakthrough technique that's opening up new possibilities in life science and biological research.
O-PTIR is a breakthrough technique for sub-micron chemical analysis and imaging of live cells in water, red blood cells, mineral distribution in bone, single bacteria and many more life science applications.
How to characterise multilayer films at sub-micron resolution with infrared, using O-PTIR spectroscopy.
This year there have already been three scientific publications featuring the breakthough techniques of O-PTIR and IR + Raman.
Breakthrough technique for identifying contaminants in failure analysis and process control, using O-PTIR.
How O-PTIR overcomes the two main problems of IR spectroscopy:
– Poor spatial resolution
– Time-consuming sample preparation
Dr Curtis Marcott of Light Light Solutions and Craig Prater of Photothermal present the benefits of O-PTIR.
