TOOLS & TECHNIQUES UPDATE

Spectrometers for all occasionsA new family of single quadrupole mass

spectrometers from Thermo Electron Corp. offers a

range of configurations and options to suit different

requirements in trace level analysis. The Finnigan™

DSQ™ series need less sample preparation time and

use smaller injections and samples sizes.

The entry-level Finnigan FOCUS™ DSQ instrument is

particularly suitable for routine, high-throughput

analyses. The compact mass spectrometer includes

curved optics technology common to more advanced

instruments. A curved prefilter reduces neutral noise

and provides enhanced detection at low femtogram

levels with an increased dynamic range.

The Finnigan TRACE™ DSQ, for more complex

analyses, can detect small amounts of compounds in

particularly challenging matrices with fast scanning

of up to 10 000 amu/s.

Xcalibur™ software is included as standard with

these mass spectrometers, allowing instant access to

analysis functions.

Contact: www.thermo.com

Trace analysis at high speed

Varian, Inc. is launching two new atomic absorption

(AA) spectrometers for trace metal, toxic element,

and contaminant determination. They have a wide

variety of analytical applications in the metallurgy

and semiconductor fields.

The AA280 Fast Sequential system offers an increase

in speed over conventional AA instruments, matching

the speed of sequential inductively coupled plasma

optical emission spectroscopy. This is achieved by

determining every element in a sample in rapid

sequence before moving to the next sample. An

automated burner adjuster and programmable gas

control ensure that optimal settings are used when

switching from one element to another. This gives a

high sensitivity as well as stable and reproducible

flame performance.

The AA280 Zeeman system combines fast transverse

Zeeman background correction with a GTA-120

graphite furnace. The furnace reduces gas

consumption by up to 40% and extends the lifetime

of the graphite tube. An optional Tube-CAM provides

a real-time video view of the furnace during sample

dispensing, drying, and ashing phases of

measurement.

Contact: www.varianinc.com

Green light for processing

Spectra-Physics has released a green laser that is

ideal for pumping Ti:sapphire amplifiers and materials

processing tasks in microelectronics. The high-power

Empower™ is a diode-pumped, Q-switched

Nd:YLF laser that can deliver >30 W at adjustable

pulse repetition rates of 1-10 kHz. Pulse energies are

>20 mJ and laser operation is computer controlled.

The compact instrument is

510 mm × 250 mm × 180 mm in size and does not

require any external cooling water.

Contact: www.spectra-physics.com

Mirror steers a new light path

A new fast-steering mirror from Newport Corp. will

be useful for a wide range of laser beam functions in

laboratories. These include beam stabilization,

scanning, pointing, tracking, and even image

stabilization. Typical applications include

semiconductor metrology and telecommunications.

The FSM-300 has a 1” diameter pyrex mirror with

either an enhanced Al coating, which shows high

reflectivity throughout the visible spectrum, or a

protected Au coating, for operation in the infrared.

The turnkey instrument comes with a driver that

provides all the necessary control signals and can be

connected to external electronics.

The mirror allows high bandwidth steering of laser

beams over a ±52 mrad range with a resolution

>1 µrad. The single mirror design, mounted on a

two-axis flexure, offers a number of advantages.

There is lower wavefront distortion, no displacement

jitter, and no polarization rotation, unlike two-mirror,

galvanometer-driven systems. The flexure

construction also delivers a larger angular scanning

range than piezo-driven mirrors.

Contact: www.newport.com

March 2004 59

Ifor D. W. Samuel

University of St Andrews, UK

What is your main area of

research interest?

I work on organic semiconductors.

They can be used to make a range

of semiconducting devices, emit

light, and are particularly promising

as a new display technology.

What techniques do you use?

We aim to understand the physics

of the materials and devices made

from them by combining a range of

optical, electrical, and materials

characterization measurements.

What’s your favourite piece of

equipment?

A charge-coupled device (CCD)

spectrograph.

What does it do?

It measures the spectrum of light.

The spectrograph disperses the

light, which is then detected by a

CCD. An entire spectrum to be

measured in a fraction of second.

Why do you like it?

First, it makes measurements of

optical spectra quickly and easily,

allowing us to concentrate on

experiments rather than the

equipment. Secondly, these

instruments are very versatile. We

have systems from JY Horiba,

Oriel/Andor, and Ocean Optics that

we use for a range of experiments,

including measuring light emission

or photoluminescence; developing

organic semiconductor lasers and

optical amplifiers; and monitoring

the modelocking of our

femtosecond laser.

Any top tips?

For maximum convenience, couple

light in using an optical fiber

bundle. Operate the instrument

from a laptop to make a portable

spectroscopy system.

If you could add one piece of kit

to your lab, what would it be?

An amplified femtosecond laser

that works every day!