Pittcon 2015: The Microscopic View

The story in microscopy at Pittcon 2015 is the total integration of microscopy with spectroscopy. Here is a quick review of nearly two dozen companies on the show floor, listed alphabetically under their respective categories.

Electron Microscopy & Elemental Analysis

Horiba Announces Portable XRF

The portable MESA 50 energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analyzer, for screening samples containing hazardous elements such as lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury, includes three analysis diameters, suitable for every sample, from thin cables and electronic parts to bulk samples. It combines a silicon drift detector that dramatically reduces measurement times and provides increased sensitivity, and a digital pulse processor to ensure high throughput analysis.
www.horiba.com
Booth 3826

Figure 1 ‒ JEOL’s Correlative Microscopy Suite (JCMS) optimizes the user experience with one easy-to-use interface.

JEOL Correlative Microscopy Suite

The JEOL Correlative Microscopy Suite (JCMS) (Figure 1) optimizes the imaging flexibility of JEOL scanning electron microscopes. Functions include: 1) Navigation across the sample using a low mag optical image as reference, 2) image overlay of corresponding EM and OM sample images, 3) montage of multiple images acquired automatically in real time and then stitched together into large area canvasses, and 4) StageLink of multiple OM and EM image locations.
www.JeolUSA.com
Booth 1523

Cleaning System for SEM Specimens

SPI Supplies introduces the UV Prep system (Figure 2) for the removal of hydrocarbons from sample surfaces. Typically, all SEM sample surfaces are contaminated with a thin hydrocarbon residue from sample preparation or storage. This contamination can inhibit resolution, especially in a FE-SEM. The UV Prep for SEM removes this film without affecting the sample itself. Using a customized UV source, the UV Prep attacks and breaks up hydrocarbon bonds. At the same time, reactive oxygen species oxidize the contaminants, forming molecules such as H2O, CO and CO2 , which are pumped out of the chamber. The result is a surface free of hydrocarbon contamination.
www.2spi.com
Booth 1519

Figure 2 ‒ A) SPI’s compact UV Prep SEM sample cleaner. B) Visible reduction in hydrocarbon martial obscuring the pores in a sample of mesoporous TiO2 (5-minute UV cleaning time).
Figure 3 ‒ Advanced digital microscope KH-8700 from Hirox-USA.

Light Microscopy

3D Digital Microscope

Hirox-USA 3D digital microscopes    (Figure 3) are a combined tool able to do observation, measurement and recording, and incorporate such features as live full focus and real-time 2D/3D tiling with an auto XY stage.
www.hirox-usa.com
Booth 1823

WiFi-Enabled, C-Mounted Tablets

Figure 4 ‒ Motic’s innovative C-mounted Digital Tablets convert traditional microscopes to digital imaging stations in industrial, educational and clinical labs.

Motic’s c-mounted touch imaging tablets T2 (10”) and S2 (7”) (Figure 4) convert traditional microscopes into standalone digital microscope systems without the need for a computer. Both come with the MotiConnect T APP, which allows images to be captured, viewed and measured on the tablet, as well as to wirelessly share via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi hot spot. Both have built-in Micro-SD slots and cards to export images directly onto a memory cards and HDMI ports for output of a 720P HD live image output simultaneously onto any LCD TV.
www.Motic.com
Booth 3355

Olympus IMS Digital Microscopes

Designed for quality assurance and control labs, Olympus DSX series digital microscopes capture clear images, acquire reliable measurements and deliver reproducible results via touchscreen (Figure 5). The Olympus LEXT OLS4100 digital laser confocal microscope system provides nanometer-level imaging, accurate 3-D measurement and surface roughness analysis.
www.olympus-ims.com
Booth 2341

Figure 5 ‒ 3D Measuring & Digital Technology from Olympus: LEXT confocal (left) and DSX Digital microscope (right).

Atomic Force Microscopy

Nanoscale FTIR

Inspire with PeakForce IR from Bruker (Figure 6) offers high-resolution nanochemical imaging. PeakForce IR is an extension of PeakForce Tapping technology and is capable of atomic-defect level spatial resolution across myriad sample types, with directly correlated, highest resolution imaging in all channels.
www.bruker.com
Booths 2027, 4101

Figure 6 ‒ Results from Bruker’s Inspire with new PeakForce IR. Left: Monolayer sensitivity on graphene. Center: Chemistry-nanomechanics correlation on polymers. Right: Plasmon polaritons.

High-Vacuum AFM

The Hitachi 5300E high vacuum AFM (Figure 7) features comprehensive environmental control, accommodating studies in vacuum/air/liquid with temperature, humidity or magnetic field regulations. Armed with the proprietary scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy (SNDM) technique, the instrument provides sensitive material characterization information.

www.hitachi-hta.com
Booth 437Figure 7 ‒ Hitachi’s AFM. (Left) schematic of an SNDM experiment. (Right) Image and measurement of a MOS transistor.

Infrared SNOM

Figure 8 ‒ NEASPEC's infrared nanoscope neaSNOM captures 20 nm molecular ordering.

Molecular packaging affects vibrational frequencies—this is why infrared is a powerful tool, not only for chemical identification, but also for contrasting patches of ordered molecules. Neaspec’s proprietary technology (Figure 8) maps topography and infrared at the same time. A zoom on thin organic film of assumably “mature” homogeneous solar conversion material recently uncovered the coexistence of elliptical patches with changed molecular inclination. This result cannot be obtained by any other microscopy method. Interestingly, the elliptical patches interpenetrate right through adjoining grain boundaries.
www.neaspec.com
Booth 908

Micro FTIR

Laser-Based Infrared Microscopy Platform

Spero spectral imaging allows visualizing varying chemical content across a sample and provides this data with high spatial resolution, large fields of view and fast image and data acquisition (Figure 9). The ChemVisio software suite makes the instrument well suited for applications ranging from cancer diagnostics and drug discovery to materials research and semiconductor defect analysis.
www.daylightsolutions.com
Booth 1000

 Figure 9 ‒ Transmission image of 8-μm section of human colon tissue on CaF2 substrate (12.5 × magnification). The entire 2 cm × 2 cm sample was imaged in less than 3 minutes. The image was collected using discrete frequency laser illumination at 1656 cm-1 , showing the relative absorption associated with the Amide I protein peak.

Diamond ATR Handles Extremely Hard Samples

 Figure 10 ‒ Harrick Scientific’s VideoMVP offers a high-performance diamond ATR accessory plus video imaging and optional force sensing.

The VideoMVP (Figure 10) offers all the advantages of a high-performance diamond ATR accessory plus video imaging and optional-force sensing capabilities. Horizontal sampling with an active area of less than 500 μm in diameter on its monolithic diamond makes the accessory useful for infrared spectroscopy measurements on extremely hard samples, abrasive powders, fibers, beads and even corrosive materials. The video imaging system provides a real-time magnified view of the sample through the ATR crystal. This image can be seen on the built-in display or digitally captured for a permanent record.
www.harricksci.com
Booth 2530

Flexible FTIR

PerkinElmer’s Spotlight microscope systems (Figure 11) provide sophisticated automatic features and functions. Everything from automated setup to complete characterization is provided with speed, with configurations for easy day-to-day use or advanced sensitivity and analyses. These systems are used throughout a wide range of industries, from academia to pharma, materials to forensics and biomedical to biomaterials.
www.perkinelmer.com
Booth 1026

Figure 11 ‒ PerkinElmer’s Spectrum Two FT-IR.

FTIR with Upgraded Software

Scientists and investigators in research, analytical and forensic laboratories can now acquire sharper visual images while gaining rapid, in-depth information on samples through enhancements to the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iN10 FT-IR microscope (Figure 12). Upgrades to OMNIC Picta software enable quick location and identification of targeted materials. Clean mosaics of larger areas and the long-standing rapid scan capabilities of the Nicolet iN10 microscope provide the tools needed to hunt down defects, measure sample homogeneity or identify components over a region.
www.thermoscientific.com/in10
Booth 9523

Figure 12 ‒ Thermo Scientific Nicolet’s iN10 FT-IR microscope finds wide applications, from counterfeit documents to difficult-to-analyze black rubber.

Micro Raman

Figure 13 ‒ Image and measure anywhere with Biotool’s new family of portable Raman microscopes, featuring multiple sample holders for liquids, solids, syringes and microscope slides.

Portable Raman Microscopy

Mobile μRaman and Micro BioRaman from BioTools are fully integrated Raman spectrometers and optical microscopes that bridge the gap between conventional Raman and Raman microscopy (Figure 13). The field-ready, portable Raman microscopes come equipped with a piezo stage for Raman mapping, a 4-hour battery pack, and multiple sample holders for liquids, solids, syringes and microscope slides. Mobile μRaman is offered for identification of fibers, liquids, powders and forensic evidence; Micro BioRaman for protein characterization and structure. Both units are SERS ready.
www.btools.com
Booth 1247

High-Temperature Raman Reaction Chamber

This High Temperature Raman Reaction Chamber from Harrick Scientific (Figure 14) is an effective tool for Raman measurements of powders under controlled environmental conditions. Used in conjunction with a Raman microscope or spectrometer, it is designed for operation from high vacuum to 25.8 ktorr and for temperatures up to 910 °C (under vacuum). It is useful for studying heterogeneous catalysis, gas-solid interactions, photochemical reactions and oxidation mechanisms.
www.harricksci.com
Booth 2530

Figure 14 ‒ Harrick Scientific’s high-temperature Raman Reaction Chamber opens new opportunities for Raman measurement of powders under controlled environmental conditions.

Microscope Teams Raman Imaging and One-Click Interface

The XploRA PLUS Raman microscope from Horiba is a fully confocal and high-performance Raman microscope offering a range of options such as multiple laser wavelengths, complete automation, EMCCD detection, Raman polarization and even AFM coupling. SWIFT Fast Raman imaging quickly provides detailed Raman images. LabSpec 6.3 software offers features ideally suited to multiple user environments, such as a “One-Click” feature that automatically adapts and optimizes data acquisition parameters, producing quality Raman spectra time after time.
www.horiba.com
Booth 3827

Particle Explorer Offers Both Raman and LIBS

The multispectroscopy Particle Explorer technology platform (Figure 15) integrates microscopic visualization techniques, including UV, darkfield, brightfield and cross-polarized light, which enable the instrument to size and locate any kind of micro particle on a variety of different substrates. Two spectroscopy methods, Raman (chemical structure) and LIBS, deliver chemical element information.
http://rap-id.com
Booth 3926

Figure 15 ‒ rapID’s multispectral Particle Explorer.

Confocal Raman Microscope, High-Defintion 2D and 3D Imaging

Figure 16 ‒ Renishaw’s InVia. Raman image of a SiC wafer illustrating different crystal polytypes.

Users can study a wide range of samples, using a broad range of Raman imaging techniques, with the inVia confocal Raman microscope from Renishaw Inc. (Figure 16). The addition of transmission Raman to Renishaw’s suite of complementary imaging options makes it easy to identify and characterize the chemistry and structure of materials. These options can be used to study both large and small features simultaneously and produce high-definition 2D and 3D chemical images.
www.renishaw.com
Booth 2808

Automated Raman Imaging

WITec offers apyron, an automated Raman imaging system that provides high-level spectral and spatial resolution, fast acquisition times and excellent signal sensitivity. In combination with automated system configurations, prealigned parameters and intuitive measuring procedures, the system can be used in multiuser labs with varying user skills and requirements, industrial labs with measurement routines and the requirement of time-critical analysis and by Raman newcomers with advanced imaging requirements.
www.witec.de
Booth 743

X-Ray Microscopy

Microtomography of Large Samples at High Resolution

Figure 17 ‒ Rigaku’s nano3dx enables microtomography of large samples at high resolution.

The Rigaku nano3DX X-ray microscope (XRM) (Figure 17) has the ability to measure relatively large samples at high resolution. This challenge was met using a high-powered rotating anode X- ray source and a high-resolution CCD imager. The rotating anode provides for fast data acquisition and the ability to switch anode materials easily to optimize the data acquisition. The nano3DX is able to observe an ultrawide field-of-view while retaining high 2D/3D spatial resolution.
www.rigaku.com/products/xrm/nano3dx
Booth 3727

Accessories

Calibration Slides

StarLight Calibration Slides from Bangs Laboratories, Inc.    (Figure 18) feature vibrant ~6 μm fluorescent microspheres for basic imaging checks and calibration. Four standard versions are each dyed with a single fluorophore and are appropriate for use with common microscope filter sets: Glacial Blue (360, 450), Dragon Green (480, 520), Envy Green (525, 565) and Flash Red (660, 690). The calibration slides are available individually or as the full 4-slide collection.
www.bangslabs.com
Booth 806

Figure 18 ‒ Images of StarLight Calibration Slides.The left image is Glacial Blue. The right images are (from top to bottom) Dragon Green, Envy Green, and Flash Red.
 Figure 19 ‒ Oerlikon Leybold Single-stage rotary vane vacuum pump for freeze drying.

Vacuum Pumps

Single-stage rotary vane vacuum pumps (Figure 19) from the SOGEVAC BI range offer improved ultimate pressure stability providing high pumping speeds even at low pressures. Featuring low noise levels and long maintenance intervals, the pumps incorporate an integrated exhaust filter, oil recovery system and anti-suckback valve.
www.oerlikon.com/leyboldvacuum
Booth 647

Barbara Foster, president of The Microscopy & Imaging Place, Inc. (McKinney, Tx.), can be reached at [email protected].