17. How do I configure a Gateway ATR system?

Gateway ATR is a six reflection horizontal ATR sampling system designed to fit into a wide range of FTIR spectrometers. Samples to be analyzed can be either liquid or solid depending on which top plate assembly is being used. Sufficient sample is required to cover a crystal sampling surface area of at least 72mm long by 10mm wide.

The parts that go to make up the Gateway ATR system start with an in-compartment optical unit P/N 11170. 11180. The optical unit is provided with an appropriate Benchmark type baseplate for attaching to the spectrometer. You must specify which spectrometer when ordering.

A Gateway ATR system is completed by a choice of trough top plate with 45 degree angle ZnSe crystal P/N 11166 for liquids and pastes, or a flat top plate with 45 angle ZnSe crystal P/N 11133 for solids and films. The top plates are compatible for placement on the optical unit and are specifically designed for use at ambient temperatures. For the flat top plate you need a clamp kit P/N 11171 that affixes to either the P/N 11170 optical unit. This allows for the necessary load/pressure to be applied to make good contact of a solid sample with the ATR crystal.

For the study of samples at elevated temperatures up to 200C, there is an additional option of the electrically heated trough top plate with 45 angle ZnSe crystal and dedicated temperature controller P/N 11155. The plate is an open trough design similar to the standard trough top plate P/N 11166, whereby a liquid is simply poured in to cover the crystal. The thermostabilised open trough top plate P/N 11139 is similar to the P/N 11155 top plate, but relies on a thermocirculating fluid for heating rather than from an electrically powered temperature controller.

An alternative type of heatable top plate for Gateway? ATR is the 550 microliter thermostabilized flow through top plate assembly with 45 degree angle ZnSe crystal P/N 11118. A liquid sample can be flowed across the sampling surface of a ZnSe crystal in an enclosed chamber. The outer casing can be heated by the flow of a thermocirculating solution surrounding the sample/crystal area, so a thermocirculator system P/N 11126 is required for use with this top plate. The temperature achievable is dependent upon the thermocirculating fluid being used (water or oil, etc). A liquid sample pumping system P/N 11125 can be used for delivery of the liquid sample via peristaltic type flow through flexible tubing attached to the sample ports on the flow plate. The sample flow through the thermostabilized flow through top plate is rated up to a 60psi maximum.

All of the Gateway ATR top plates are supplied with a 45 degree angle ZnSe crystal P/N 11145, but alternative germanium P/N 11147 and silicon P/N 11146 crystals at a 45 degree angle are also available. They can be supplied on their own for placement into a trough or a thermostabilized top plate, but they must be pre-affixed into a flat top plate assembly.