15. What samples can I analyze with a DC-2 Diamond Compression Cell?

The DC-2 diamond compression cell enables samples to be compressed to an ideal thickness for transmission experiments. It uses two type 2A diamond windows, 2.5 mm diameter by 0.5 mm thick, that are each brazed into a tungsten carbide disc and then mounted into a hastalloy plate. Unlike most other diamond cells, the diamonds are polished flush with the tungsten carbide, so it is safe to bring the two windows together without risk of damage. The clear aperture of 1.5 mm diameter offered by the hastalloy plate allows for a good transmission throughput signal when placed at the sampling focus of an FTIR spectrophotometer using an MCT detector. For optimum performance with a DTGS detector the Microfocus Beam Condenser P/N 2560 (with ZnSe lenses) or P/N 2561 (with KRS-5 lenses)) is recommended in order to obtain high quality spectra.

The DC-2 is for use with small compressible samples. It is not suitable for crushing large samples such as whole polymer pellets. These should be pre-crushed in a die, or a small fragment should be cut off prior to compression between the DC-2 diamond windows. The DC-2 should also not be used for crushing or compressing extremely hard samples. Care should be taken that the sample does not contain any hard particles (for example, some sand) that could cause failure of the thin diamond windows through “point” loading.

The DC-2, because of its small size and shape can also be used with Infrared Microscopes, where the large aperture allows for more than one sample to be loaded and compressed at one time. Each individual sample could then be selectively moved into the light beam from the IR microscope, saving on the time needed to mount and prepare each sample between analyses.