Batch measurement option.

Edinburgh Instruments have announced a new batch measurement option to their Fluoracle software for the FS5 spectrofluorometer and FLS1000 Fluorescence Spectrometer.

Fluoracle now features a new batch measurement wizard in addition to all the standard instrument control and analysis options. Batch acquisition enables our customers to design a sequence of multiple different measurements including repetition, delays and loops. Batch routines can be stored and edited, saving time in long measurements and screening assays.

Their intention is to allow our customers to run their measurements for several hours or overnight whilst the instrument can be left unattended. This feature can save time and give the opportunity to concentrate on other tasks without checking on the progress of the measurements.

 @Edinst #PAuto

New chief for leading edge spectroscopic instrumentation company. @Edinst #PAuto #TandM

Techcomp (Europe) Ltd has appointed Dr Roger Fenske as the new CEO of Edinburgh Instruments. Roger has worked for EI for over 14 years and brings a wealth of customer application and technology experience to the role.

Dr Roger Fenske

Since Techcomp acquired EI in 2013, the business has launched several new products, including the FS5 Spectrofluorometer, and expanded into new manufacturing facilities at their Livingston site.
Roger replaces the outgoing CEO Mark Vosloo who led the re-organisation of the operations following the acquisition.

Techcomp Europe CEO Chris O’Connor commented on the appointment, “Roger is well known in the Fluorescence world as a regular guest speaker at international scientific conferences and training seminars. During his successful career with EI, he has personally installed more than 240 systems for leading research institutes in over 30 countries. I am delighted that he now takes the lead role in this business and will oversee an exciting period of new technology and product innovation. I would also like to thank Mark for his valuable contribution during an important transition period”.

Roger added, “EI has an unrivalled position in TCSPC Fluorescence and laser research. Following a sustained period of investment from Techcomp, I am excited to be taking over as CEO to oversee a busy period of new product introduction and further expansion”.

Characterising Egyptian blue pigment.

The Edinburgh Instruments applications team and Dr Gianluca Accorsi, a Research Fellow at CNR Nanotec in Lecce (I), worked on the photo-physical properties of Egyptian blue pigment using our Fluorescence Spectrometers.

The interest in non-invasive investigations for the study and identification of painting materials has greatly increased during the past two decades. The nature of museum objects is such that sampling is always kept to a minimum, thus, a spectroscopic approach is ideal for this purpose.

An ancient pigment, cuprorivaite, CaCuSi4O10 or otherwise called Egyptian blue, has been photo-physically investigated (pdf).

The investigation includes qualitative information, i.e. emission and excitation spectra, as well as quantitative that is the photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) that have been obtained in the near-infrared (NIR) region.

The pigment proved to be a strong NIR emitter, with the highest known quantum efficiency for a molecule-level chromophore.

• We cordially thank Gianluca Accorsi of CNR NANO, Lecce and Giovanni Verri of The Courtauld Institute of Art, London for provision of material presented in this news article.

@Edinst  #Archeology

Fluorescence spectroscopy systems in Thailand.

Edinburgh Instruments have accomplished installation of our top end fluorescence spectroscopy systems at the brand new Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) in Thailand.

VISTEC is funded by PPT, a petroleum company, with the aim of high impact research publications in the science and technology field. The University has invested heavily in state of the art scientific facilities and recruited some of the best professors and researchers, including NRCT Research Award and Outstanding Scientist Award winners.

The FLS980 Fluorescence Spectrometer and the LP980 Transient Absorption Spectrometer will be used to investigate and improve the efficiency and photochemical characteristics of organic solar cell technology. The group researchers are aiming to reduce global consumption and dependence on fossil fuels through improving the overall light-collection efficiency and simplify the manufacture of this type of organic solar cell.

Our engineers attended a week-long installation and training seminar at the University to provide the local research group with systems operation and servicing training.

@Edinst #PAuto 

Fluorescence spectrometer

Edinburgh Instruments has launched a new fluorescence spectrometer, the FS5, a fully integrated steady state spectrometer with single photon sensitivity, designed for the research and analytical market. The FS5 has a number of features that are unique in its class of fluorescence spectrometers they include: Ultimate single photon sensitivity throughout the specified spectral range, high data acquisition speed, comprehensive yet easy to operate software and an unmatched range of plug and play sample cassette options.

In addition to the standard version, the FS5 is offered with a number of options:

·        FS5-NIR with an extended wavelength coverage to 1000nm while maintaining the specified sensitivity in the UV and visible spectral range

·        FS5-MCS, a phosphorescence lifetime option with a lifetime range of microseconds-to-seconds

·        FS5-TCSPC, a fully integrated lifetime option for the measurement of fluorescence lifetimes from picoseconds to microseconds by Time Correlated Single Photon Counting

·        FS5-POL with fully automated polarisers in excitation and emission

·        Two further advanced options are available with an extended wavelength range to 1650nm and with time resolution down to 50ps.

The new FS5 is an extension of Edinburgh Instruments’ portfolio of state-of-the-art and reliable spectrometer products. The instrument has been designed with the background of more than 35 years of experience in the field of fluorescence spectroscopy, and is manufactured at the company’s base in the UK.

Commenting on the new product launch, Mark Vosloo, CEO of Edinburgh Instruments said:

“The FS5 opens up new market opportunities for Edinburgh Instruments. We have taken a new and fresh approach to analytical instrumentation and aim to satisfy the growing need for high performance but affordable research tools.”

Low temperature fluorescence spectroscopy

Liquid nitrogen and liquid helium cryostats are available as part of the range of temperature-controlled accessories for the FLS980 and FLS920 series of photoluminescence spectrometers from Edinburgh Photonics. Fully field retrofittable, these cryostats allow fluorescence measurements and temperature maps to be made over the temperature ranges 77-300K and 4.2-325K respectively. Versions with an upper temperature of 500K are also available.

Low temperature operation allows researchers to benefit from enhanced fluorescence intensities. Temperature maps can be generated by acquiring a series of emission, excitation, synchronous and anisotropy scans over a predefined temperature range. The individual measurements are automatically started when the target temperatures are reached.

All cryostats are supplied complete with controller and chamber adapter. The spectrometer software communicates with the cryostat controller to allow families of temperature dependent steady state and life- time data to be acquired under computer control.

Fluorescence spectrometer

The FLS980 fluorescence spectrometer just launched by Edinburgh Photonics is for steady state, lifetime and phosphorescence measurements in photophysics, photochemistry, biophysics, biochemistry and semiconductor physics. Building on the success of the well-established FLS920 instrument, the FLS980 is a high performance, fully automated modular spectrometer for use in both fundamental research and routine laboratory applications. Improved sensitivity, sample handling, optics and control and analysis software are combined in an instrument that offers outstanding technical performance and flexibility for luminescence spectroscopy.

Enhanced optics include high stray light rejection monochromators, a 3-fold increase in monochromator options, and computer-controlled filter wheels for higher order removal to allow accurate measurement of spectra without higher order distortion. Instrument sensitivity is doubled compared to the FLS920, with a S/N of 12000:1 measured on the Raman spectrum of distilled water using single monochromators. This allows measurements of even lower sample concentrations and the use of smaller sample volumes.

Instrument modularity is reflected in a large sample chamber with 6-axis access to the sample and an improved ‘plug and play’ system of sample holders. A wide choice of sample holders allows easy configuration of the instrument for specific applications. With an extensive range of laser light sources, flashlamps and detectors available for the FLS980, spectral measurements can be made from 200nm to 5µm and with time resolution from a few picoseconds through to seconds.

A single, ultrafast data acquisition module accommodates any combination of light sources and detectors and provides easy set up and operation for Time Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC), Multi-channel scaling (MCS) and spectral scanning alike.

A new, fully integrated, user friendly software package provides hardware control, performance monitoring, data acquisition, data analysis and data manipulation for all measurement modes. Full software set up and reconfiguration of sample holder options is provided. With advanced correction, measurement and analysis facilities, experiments can be readily designed from the PC. USB connectivity between the spectrometer and the PC brings fast data processing, module control and operation. Live profiles can be observed on screen as they are acquired before data manipulation and analysis.

Phosphor characterisation

Edinburgh Instruments has helped one of its customers, Leuchtstoffwerk Breitungen GmbH, to better characterise its phosphor products. A software wizard has been developed for the customer to allow spectral data produced by the FLS920-s Fluorescence Spectrometer to be presented in the CIE 1931 colour space, both graphically and in tables.

Leuchtstoffwerk Breitungen is a specialist manufacturer of phosphors, pigments and selected inorganic chemicals. Phosphors and fluorescent materials produced by the company are used in LEDs, backlit LCDs, Laser Phosphor Displays and X-ray intensifying screens. The FLS920-s Fluorescence Spectrometer is used to characterise the spectral properties of the different materials. By transforming the spectral data into the CIE 1931 colour space, the software wizard allows the company greater access to chromaticity information for its materials.

Edinburgh Instruments’ Operations Manager, Roger Fenske, commented: “We are always happy to discuss special applications with our customers and prospective customers. Since our range of spectrometers is used in a myriad of unique projects both in industry and research, we frequently customise hardware, software or both to meet the challenges faced by our customers. By providing instruments that meet the customer’s specific needs, we allow them to concentrate on their own work.”