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

Importance of the Topic

Infrared microscopy is a cornerstone technique in analytical chemistry, offering non-destructive chemical imaging with molecular specificity. By combining Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and quantum cascade laser (QCL) imaging in one platform, researchers gain unprecedented flexibility, sensitivity and speed for applications ranging from life science to materials analysis.

Study Objectives and Overview

This document presents the design and capabilities of the Bruker HYPERION II microscope, the first instrument to integrate FT-IR imaging, focal-plane array (FPA) detection and tunable QCL laser imaging. The primary goal is to showcase how this dual-mode system expands existing workflows, accelerates data acquisition and unlocks new analytical possibilities.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The HYPERION II platform supports three complementary imaging modes:

• FT-IR Microscopy with single-element and thermoelectrically or liquid-nitrogen-cooled MCT detectors.
• FPA-based FT-IR Imaging (64×64 or 128×128 pixels) for full-field chemical maps.
• QCL-based Infrared Laser Imaging for high-speed, single-wavelength or multi-wavelength contrast.

Key hardware features include a wide range of IR-transparent objective lenses (3.5×, 15×, ATR and grazing-angle), visual enhancement tools (darkfield, fluorescence, polarizers) and specialized sample holders (macro ATR, temperature-controlled stages). The system integrates with OPUS software, offering real-time image preview, adaptive clustering, PCA, machine learning and a Python API for custom routines.

Main Results and Discussion

Comparative performance data reveal:

• Full-spectral FPA imaging at 16 cm⁻¹ resolution: up to 800 spectra/s (128×128 array), covering ~4 mm² in 16 min per cm².
• QCL imaging speed: up to 30 000 spectra/s, enabling 20 mm² of full spectral data in one minute or targeted single-band imaging of hundreds of mm² in seconds.
• Spatial resolution down to 0.2 µm/pixel in QCL mode, preserving image quality through patented coherence-reduction technology.

These results underscore the complementary strengths of FT-IR (broad spectral coverage, full-field data) and QCL (rapid, high-contrast imaging at selected bands).

Benefits and Practical Applications

The versatile HYPERION II addresses diverse analytical needs:

• Life Sciences: Real-time mapping of tissue sections combining visual and laser images for localization of biomolecules.
• Pharmaceuticals: Rapid identification of APIs and impurities in tablets or pellets.
• Forensics: High-sensitivity fiber and trace evidence analysis with optimized apertures.
• Polymers and Coatings: Layer composition and homogeneity assessment via ATR imaging.
• Geology and Minerals: Fast differentiation of oxide phases using reflectance laser imaging.
• Microplastics: Automated screening and classification with combined FT-IR and QCL workflows.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Ongoing developments will leverage machine learning for automated feature extraction, extend spectral range into near-IR and visible, and integrate environmental control modules for in-situ experiments. The fusion of high-speed QCL prescreening with targeted FT-IR spectra will streamline routine quality-control processes and accelerate discovery in materials science, pharmaceutical analytics and environmental monitoring.

Conclusion

The Bruker HYPERION II represents a paradigm shift in infrared microscopy by uniting FT-IR imaging and QCL laser techniques in a single, user-friendly platform. Its modular design, rapid acquisition rates and advanced software toolbox enable comprehensive chemical imaging solutions across academic research and industrial laboratories.

References

Patents: DE102004025448; JP-6779982-B2; US-2018157019-AA. Additional patents pending.