In Vitro Technologies

The N-500 FT-NIR spectrometer provides reliable analysis results for quality control as well as research and development in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, beverage and feed industry. The NIRFlex N-500 offers a wide range of measuring cells and accessories for highest performance. View more

The modular FT-NIR spectrometer

Benefits

Reliable and flexible

Precise and accurate analysis results due to highest wavelength precision
Direct and effortless transfer of calibrations from instrument to instrument
Precisely analyzes different types of sample (solid, powder, tablet, granule, paste, liquid, etc.) by dedicated measuring options

Fast, safe and easy

Delivers results in seconds
Obtains several parameters simultaneously
No chemicals or solvents
User friendly and intuitive handling

Highly efficient

Fast analytical results allow rapid process optimization
Low cost of ownership as (common spare parts are user-exchangeable, no periodic instrument re-calibration required etc.)
Continuous operation due to the twin lamp safeguard

Features

The BUCHI polarization interferometer

BUCHI has adapted the successful quartz polarization interferometer by using crystals with a very high refractive index. This leads to optimum resolution and a compact design maintaining the advantage of insensitivity to mechanical disturbances. The reason for the superior performance of this interferometer in rough environments is the difference of spatial movements and the optical path shifts for the two light beams in a birefringent crystal of variable thickness. Whereas in a Michelson type interferometer mechanical distortions directly affect the interference, such effects are reduced by a factor of 10 to 20 in a crystal interferometer.

The twin lamp module

BUCHI has set a new standard in terms of the availability of an NIR spectrometer.Our NIR spectrometers are equipped with a twin lamp module, which will automatically switch to a second integrated lamp in the event of a failure of the primary source. This minimizes the risk of an instrument failure, and sufficient time is left to order a replacement lamp. Meanwhile you can continue your measurements without further intervention.

The integrated standards

Each BUCHI FT-NIR spectrometer is equipped with various gray filters and a wavelength standard. They enable wavelength accuracy, signal-to-noise ratio, and linearity to be checked using specially designed software modules. These measurements form the System Suitability Test (SST), which is indispensable in the pharmaceutical industry in order to meet regulations.

Expert Advice

Why should I consider NIR spectroscopy in my processes?

NIR spectroscopy is a fast non-destructive analytical method. Almost any kind of sample can be scanned within seconds with minimal or even no preparation at all. NIRS can verify the identity of a sample and quantify multiple chemical and physical properties simultaneously.

What are my commercial benefits of using NIR spectroscopy?

Research and quality control laboratories benefit from NIRS alike. While researchers can accelerate their experimentation, QC departments benefit from the ability to analyze hundreds of samples per day – both saving substantial amounts of time and money.

How does a polarization interferometer work?

The heart of the interferometer consists of two bi-refringing crystal wedges. By moving one wedge, a part of the light undergoes a phase shift. This phase shift alters the polarization of the entire beam. After passing a polarization filter the interferogram is detected. All wavelengths are measured simultaneously.

Do I need to calibrate my BUCHI FT-NIR spectrometer?

There is no need for instrument calibration. The term “calibration” is used in NIR with two different meanings:

Unlike other NIR instruments, the BUCHI instrument does not need to be calibrated since the accuracy is ensured by internal standards and permanent laser-aided alignment.
In NIR spectroscopy a calibration model is generally required to interpret sample data. This model needs to be developed on setup of the application. BUCHI’s NIRCal software makes it straight forward to develop robust and reliable calibrations by correlating NIR data with reference analytics.

What are the benefits of BUCHI’s FT-NIR with polarization interferometer?

BUCHI’s FT technology combines accuracy and robustness. Fourier Transform spectrometers grant high wavenumber accuracy and best signal to noise ratio. Polarization interferometers are insensitive to mechanical disturbances and hence ideal for rough environments.

Can NIR spectroscopy completely replace reference analytics?

Replace completely the reference analytics is not the target. NIR spectroscopy is a powerful technique to rapidly and reliably screen samples and therewith eliminate a lot of routine analysis. A limited amount of reference analysis is still needed to develop the initial calibration models and to periodically verify their performance.

How many parameters can be analyzed simultaneously?

While the number of parameters measurable within a calibration model is only limited by computing power and complexity of the analysis, it is common to analyze 15-30 properties at the same time.

What is the optimal resolution for an NIR Spectrometer?

For modern instruments 8 cm-1 resolution is optimal for NIR measurement. As NIR spectral bands are relatively broad, higher resolutions do not improve the performance of NIR application. On the contrary, higher resolution spectra have a poorer signal-to-noise ratio within a given measurement time.

NIR-flex N-500 Solids Item ID: BUN500002