O-PTIR: non-contact, submicron, visible probe photothermal infrared spectroscopy

The use of O-PTIR submicron visible probe, with no contact, to detect the photothermal IR effect is the key breakthrough. It enables non-contact, submicron IR spectroscopy in reflection mode. This provides new analytical capabilities to analyze polymers, live single cells, particulates and more.

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O-PTIR
non-contact submicron visible probe infrared spectroscopy

Problem solved.

O-PTIR submicron visible probe, non-contact, detection of the photothermal IR effect overcomes the key limitation of traditional FTIR/QCL microscopy. It does this by removing the fundamental spatial resolution limits of IR spectroscopy (10-20 microns). This limit is now governed by the visible beam wavelength (.5 micron). O-PTIR achieves submicron spatial resolution in a non-contact, reflection mode, operation.

Chart comparing infrared wavelength diffraction limit being .5 micrometers for O-PTIR verses 5 micrometers for ATR and 10 micrometers for FTIR
Diagram describing how O-PTIR, Optical PhotoThermal InfraRed spectroscopy works.
Professor John Reffner, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) Pioneer in FTIR microspectroscopy
Professor John Reffner
John Jay College of
Criminal Justice (CUNY)
Pioneer in FTIR microspectroscopy

Spectra on thick samples that correlate to transmission FTIR

Provides the best of both worlds by combining the convenience of O-PTIR submicron visible probe in non-contact reflection mode technique with “FTIR transmission-like” quality. The spectra are collected in reflection mode, where thickness, surface roughness or particle shape/size are not issues.

Image of spectra collected from 20µm thick samples matched to the KnowItAll® database resulting in a high percentage matches for polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polymethyl methacrylate.

Three different O-PTIR spectra collected from 20 µm thick samples were searched against the KnowItAll® database. The results were high matches for polystyrene (PS) (left), polyethylene terephthalate (PS) (middle) and polymethyl methacrylate (PE) (right).

O-PTIR: non-contact, submicron, visible probe photothermal infrared spectroscopy

The use of O-PTIR submicron visible probe, with no contact, to detect the photothermal IR effect is the key breakthrough. It enables non-contact, submicron IR spectroscopy in reflection mode. This provides new analytical capabilities to analyze polymers, live single cells, particulates and more.

O-PTIR non-contact submicron visible probe infrared spectroscopy

Problem solved.

O-PTIR submicron visible probe, non-contact, detection of the photothermal IR effect overcomes the key limitation of traditional FTIR/QCL microscopy. It does this by removing the fundamental spatial resolution limits of IR spectroscopy (10-20 microns). This limit is now governed by the visible beam wavelength (.5 micron). O-PTIR achieves submicron spatial resolution in a non-contact, reflection mode, operation.

Chart comparing infrared wavelength diffraction limit being .5 micrometers for O-PTIR verses 5 micrometers for ATR and 10 micrometers for FTIR
Diagram describing how O-PTIR, Optical PhotoThermal InfraRed spectroscopy works.
Professor John Reffner, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) Pioneer in FTIR microspectroscopy

Professor John Reffner
John Jay College of
Criminal Justice (CUNY)
Pioneer in FTIR microspectroscopy

Spectra on thick samples that correlate to transmission FTIR

Provides the best of both worlds by combining the convenience of O-PTIR submicron visible probe in non-contact reflection mode technique with “FTIR transmission-like” quality. The spectra are collected in reflection mode, where thickness, surface roughness or particle shape/size are not issues.

Image of spectra collected from 20µm thick samples matched to the KnowItAll® database resulting in a high percentage matches for polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polymethyl methacrylate.

Three different O-PTIR spectra collected from 20 µm thick samples were searched against the KnowItAll® database. The results were high matches for polystyrene (PS) (left), polyethylene terephthalate (PS) (middle) and polymethyl methacrylate (PE) (right).

mIRage combines O-PTIR and Raman
to improve results

The world’s first simultaneous IR+Raman microscopy system is a unique dual modality platform that combines all the advantages of O-PTIR with complementary Raman microscopy via simultaneous detection of the visible probe laser.

Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp

325 Chapala Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Phone: (805) 845-6568
Email: info [at] photothermal.com