ATR objective for an IR microscope and method for operation thereof

摘要

An ATR objective (1) for an IR microscope has a Cassegrain objective (2), an ATR crystal (7), a holding bar (8) to one end of which on the side of the sample, the ATR crystal (7) is mounted, a holding element (10), thin struts (9) which rigidly connect the holding bar (8) to the holding element (10) and intersect an optical path of the ATR objective (1) entering or exiting the Cassegrain objective (2) in such a fashion that they shade less than 10% of the beam cross-section of the optical path, and a motor drive (12) for axial movement of the holding element (10) relative to the sample position (3). The automated ATR objective thereby enables simple adjustment of operating modes and different contact pressures of the ATR crystal with respect to a sample (19).

主权项

1. An ATR (attenuated total reflection) objective for examination of a sample in an IR (infrared) microscope, the objective comprising:
a frame structure; a Cassegrain objective cooperating with said frame structure, said Cassegrain objective focussing IR radiation onto the sample at a sample position, said Cassegrain objective comprising a first mirror having a first central bore and a second mirror having a second central bore; an ATR crystal; a holding bar guided through said first and said second central bores, said holding bar having an end facing the sample to which said ATR crystal is mounted; a holding element disposed proximate to or beyond a side of said Cassegrain objective facing away from the sample; thin struts, which rigidly connect said holding bar to said holding element and intersect an optical path of said ATR objective entering or exiting said Cassegrain objective, wherein said thin struts shade less than 10% of a beam cross-section of said optical path; and a motor drive for axial movement of said holding element relative to the sample position.