Samples/Techniques

Sample Stages
Sample Environments
Transport & Safety
Waste Disposal

Sample Stages/Spectrometer Accessories

Click on a heading below for more information.

Gas Phase Experiments	Condensed Phase Experiments
60 cm multipass glass cell for non-reactive samples.	Single disc holder for transmission studies; for pressed discs or self-supporting samples 13 mm diameter.
60 cm heated multipass glass cell for reactive samples; cell can be heated to approx. 80 °C.	N²ITRO Near Normal Incidence Transmission/Reflection Optics.
Enclosive Flow Cooling (EFC) cell; cell is used for the study of gases, particulates and/or cluster species and can reach LN₂ or LHe temperatures.	Cryogen-cooled Cryostat; for pressed discs or self-supporting samples 10 mm in diameter. Can be cooled to LN₂ temperatures. A new Helium cooled, closed loop, pulse tube cryostat is available for use. Able to be cooled to around 10K
	Grazing Incidence Angle (GIA); for the study of thin films or monolayers.

Sample Environments

Condensed phase experiments are typically conducted under vacuum conditions. When using the Cryostat, sample temperatures can be reduced to liquid helium or intermediate temperatures.

Gas phase experiments are typically conducted at room temperature in one of the two glass cells. The 60cm Multipass Glass Cell for reactive species can be operated at warmer temperatures (up to 80°C). A furnace is available to heat reactive species; the furnace can reach temperatures of < 1100 °C. If cryogenic temperatures are required, the Enclosive Flow Cooling (EFC) cell can be used with liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.

Preparation Facilities

Limited space is available in and outside of the IR Hutch for sample preparation. The Synchrotron has both a chemistry and a biochemistry laboratory onsite. These laboratories are equipped with fume cupboards, fridges, freezers, stereo microscope with camera, UV-Vis spectrometer and balances. Please consult IR Beamline staff if you require specific equipment for sample preparation (you may have to supply your own equipment).

A Class II biological containment laboratory is available for use during your beamtime if required. This contains a Class II safety cabinet, CO₂ incubator, inverted microscope, centrifuges, fridge, freezer and water bath. Users requiring access to this facility should contact the IR beamline staff when submitting a proposal which involves the handling of live biological material (see IR Microspectroscopy).

Transport and Safety

Please see Sample Transport & Safety for more specific information.

Please consult your OHSE if unsure how to best transport your samples. If you have air or moisture sensitive materials, it is recommended you transport samples in a sealed box supplied with desiccant. An electric desiccator (10% humidity) is available in the IR Hutch to store your samples if necessary.

Waste Disposal

Please see Waste Disposal for more specific information.

You must remove all waste from the beamline for disposal at your own facility. Some waste disposal facilities are available in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratories. Please consult IR Beamline staff for more information.