Axiot System

The Axiot System is a family of optical modules which can greatly expand the sampling flexibility of any FTIR spectrometer. By removing the sampling task from the confines of the conventional sample compartment, the Axiot System eliminates performance compromise while allowing you to carry out your analysis at the most desirable location - even in a fume hood or on a process line. Furthermore, the system’s pneumatically actuated switch modules can be used to provide automatic switching between multiple sample cells or reference paths (Figure 1).Designing Your Axiot SystemKey to the Axiot System is a series of hollow metallic light guides (optical conduits) and mirror modules which can be assembled in a variety of ways to meet diverse sampling requirements. An Axiot system can be coupled to an output port of the spectrometer, if available, or to the instrument’s sample compartment. A number of resources are available to aid in designing an Axiot system to meet your particular needs. For example, Technical Note AN-910 provides examples of several Axiot configurations while AN-917 examines the transmission characteristics of Axiot conduits. In addition, Axiom Analytical can provide you with outline drawings of all of the standard Axiot modules. If you would like assistance in configuring a system, please don’t hesitate to contact Axiom with your requirements. In many cases, we are able to proved design assistance, including drawings of suggested configurations, free of charge.Basic Axiot Building BlocksThe most basic Axiot components are mirror modules, conduits, and interface flanges. The generic drawings below indicate the dimensions important in configuring a system. Here, ”L” represents the length of a conduit and “X” the focal length of a paraboloidal mirror. The cross symbol indicates the location of the end of a conduit after assembly. All dimensions are in inches. Note that the interface flanges include window holders and purge orifices.FeaturesInterfaces FTIR to outboard sampling equipment Facilitates sampling on–line or within a fume hood Provides switching between sampling devicesEliminates the risk of instrument damage due to sample spillAllows experiments to remain set-up while the FTIR sample compartment is used for other measurements•••••PS–AX–02(0612)The Axiot SystemModular Transfer Optics and Sampling Systems for FTIR Spectroscopy2Modules to Meet Diverse RequirementsIn addition to the basic building blocks, the Axiot System includes various special purpose modules. Dimensional drawings of all of these are available form Axiom. The various module categories are outlined below. Note that many of these – as well as the basic modules – are available in both standard and custom materials and sealing configurations to meet specialized needs.Rotational Optical SwitchesARJ-90 and ARP-L are pneumatically actuated plane mirror and parabolic rotational optical switches respectively. Each switches an input beam between diametrically opposed outputs, each 90o from the input port.Translational Optical SwitchesASJ-90 and ASP-L are pneumatically actuated plane mirror and parabolic translational optical switches respectively. Each switches between a collimated through path and an output path at 90o. In the case of the ASP-L, the 90o path has a focus at a distance of “L” from the center of the mirror.Fiber-Optic InterfacesModel FAC-100 provides an adjustable interface between an Axiot Conduit and an optical fiber terminated in either an SMA or an FC connector. Its 2” focal length parabolic mirror provides wavelength independent coupling with a numeric aperture of approximately 0.3.Figure 1: An Axiot system providing switching between two transmission cells.AOJ-90 Plane Mirror ModuleAOT-L Optical Conduit AOP-X Parabolic Mirror ModuleAOI-U Universal Interface Flange3Instrument InterfacesThe Universal Interface Flange (AOI-U) is suitable for coupling to the side port of many FTIR spectrometers. Custom interfaces are available for other spectrometers. These are designated as AOI- 1XY, where “X” and “Y” represent the spectrometer make and model. In addition, sample compartment interfaces (AOI-4XY and 5XY) are available for use with instruments lacking side ports.In addition to the above interfaces designed for use with laboratory spectrometers, a number of instrument-specific interfaces are available for use with process spectrometers such as the Bomem Work-IR, Bruker IR Cube, and Hamilton Sundstrand PCM Series. For example, Figure 2 illustrates an Axiot interface which allows any of Axiom’s ATR probes to be coupled to a Bruker IR-Cube spectrometer.Sampling Device InterfacesInterfaces are available for all Axiom sampling devices. These include both standard and quick-release interfaces. The latter facilitate rapid interchange of sampling devices.Detector modulesIn most systems, an infrared detector and preamplifier will be mounted within the Axiot system and connected to the spectrometer by an electronic cable. Various Axiot modules are available to accommodate this arrangement. ADO-500XY and ADO-501XY are detector optics modules which include mounting hardware and focusing mirrors with three axes of optical adjustment. They are designed for use with liquid nitrogen cooled detectors in the case of ADO-500 and either room temperature or TE cooled detectors in the case of the ADO-501. ADM Series modules are similar but include detectors and preamplifiers matched to specific spectrometers.Outboard Sampling ModulesAXM Series modules include ADO Detector Optics Modules, mounting stands, and various mirror modules and conduits to provide the equivalent of an f: 4.8 focused beam sample region external to the spectrometer.Miscellaneous ItemsIn addition to the above, an assortment of Axiot modules is available to meet specialized needs. Some of these are listed below: • AMS Series Mounting Stands• ABF-50 Bulkhead Feed-through and Window Holder• ABF-31 Feed-through Boot Assembly• AVA-30 Variable Attenuator• AVI-31 Variable Iris Assembly• AWH Series Window Holders• ABS-132 Rooftop Beamsplitter System Integration ServicesThe design services available from Axiom cover a broad range of possibilities. One the one hand, if you prefer to assemble your own Axiot system, Axiom can provide extensive design assistance, often at no charge. Figure 2: DMD-270 Diamond ATR Probe coupled to a Bruker IR Cube FTIR spectrometer by means of a custom Axiot interface.Axiom Analytical, Inc. • 17751–B Sky Park Circle • Irvine, CA 92614Tel: (949) 757–9300 • Fax: (949) 757–9306Web: www.goaxiom.com • E-mail: info@goaxiom.com 4At the other extreme, Axiom can provide comprehensive system integration design and assembly services including NEMA qualified packaging, sample conditioning, and en-vironmental control. A typical example is shown in Figure 3.For more information, or to discuss your specific applica-tion, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1–800–goaxiom or visit us on the web at www.goaxiom.com.ReferencesU.S. Patent No. 5,054,869Figure 3: Fully integrated FTIR analysis system incorporating a Bruker IR Cube FTIR, NEMA classified enclosure, purged safety barriers, sample conditioning, and environmental control.