HYPERION II FT-IR | FPA | IR Laser Imaging Microscope

Significance of the topic

Infrared microscopy is a cornerstone technique in analytical chemistry, enabling detailed chemical imaging of a wide range of samples from biological tissues to polymers and geological specimens. The fusion of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy with quantum cascade laser (QCL) imaging addresses critical demands for higher speed, sensitivity and spectral specificity in research, quality control and forensic investigations.

Objectives and Study Overview

This document presents the Bruker HYPERION II microscope, the first system to integrate classical FT-IR imaging and QCL-based laser imaging in a single platform. The goal is to illustrate how this dual-mode instrument enhances existing IR applications and unlocks novel experimental possibilities across life sciences, pharmaceuticals, forensics, materials analysis and beyond.

Methodology

The HYPERION II architecture combines a broadband globar source and focal-plane array (FPA) detectors for full-spectrum FT-IR imaging with a tunable mid-infrared QCL for rapid, high-contrast single-wavelength maps. Automated aperture control, real-time live imaging and an inert-gas-purged sample compartment support demanding measurement modes including transmission, reflection and attenuated total reflectance (ATR).

Instrumentation Used

• Detectors: TE-cooled and LN2-cooled MCT, 64×64 or 128×128 FPA arrays
• Sources: Globar broadband emitter, tunable QCL for MIR fingerprint region
• Objectives: 3.5×, 15× IR, 20× ATR with pressure sensor, 15× grazing-angle, plus VIS objectives
• Accessories: Darkfield and fluorescence illumination, Köhler apertures, macro-ATR stage, temperature-controlled heating/cooling stage (–196 °C to 600 °C), universal sample holders
• Software: OPUS suite with adaptive K-means clustering, PCA, machine learning routines and Python interface

Main Results and Discussion

Comparative tests across multiple fields demonstrate that QCL imaging achieves up to 30,000 spectra/sec and maps up to 6.4 mm2/sec at single wavelengths—five to ten times faster than FPA-based FT-IR. Full-spectrum FPA imaging remains essential for comprehensive chemical fingerprinting, while QCL excels in rapid screening and live visualization. Case studies include microtome sections of biological tissues, polymer laminates, forensic fibers, pharmaceutical pellets and mineralogical samples.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Versatility: seamless switching between full-spectrum and single-wavelength modes
• Speed: real-time IR imaging for dynamic processes and high-throughput screening
• Sensitivity: high signal-to-noise detection with cooled MCTs and ATR imaging
• Spatial resolution: pixel sizes down to 0.2 µm for QCL and 0.5 µm for FPA
• Robust workflows: OPUS software automates cluster analysis, spectral selection and data correlation in 2D/3D

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging directions include integration of artificial intelligence for autonomous ROI selection, expansion into near-infrared and far-infrared ranges, multimodal imaging combining fluorescence or Raman modalities, and development of higher-power, narrow-linewidth QCLs. These advances will further accelerate applications in microplastics analysis, real-time reaction monitoring, in situ environmental sensing and advanced material characterization.

Conclusion

The Bruker HYPERION II sets a new benchmark by uniting FT-IR and QCL imaging in one instrument. This dual-mode approach maximizes both spectral completeness and acquisition speed, delivering unparalleled flexibility for scientific research and industrial quality control. By catering to diverse analytical requirements within a single workflow, HYPERION II empowers users to tackle complex samples with confidence and efficiency.