A2 Technologies Launches Groundbreaking Portable Exoscan FTIR Spectrometer for Surface Analysis Applications

A2 Technologies, the innovator and manufacturer of portable Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers has further extended its range of novel portable FTIR spectrometers announcing the launch of the smallest, most compact FTIR spectrometer available on the market, Exoscan. Designed to move spectroscopy out of the laboratory and into the field, the innovative analyzer is designed for non-destructive on-site surface and bulk analysis applications. Weighing less than seven pounds, the A2 Technologies Exoscan features superior ease of use, coupled with analytical performance that rivals far larger and more expensive traditional analytical FTIR spectrometers. Exoscan is also capable of handling Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) applications and will be unveiled on the A2 Technologies booth #2507 at PITTCON 2008, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 3-7.

Exoscan is powered by an on-board rechargeable Lithium ion battery or from AC power. Featuring interchangeable internal reflectance (ATR) and external reflectance sampling interfaces, this system is ideal for sampling a wide variety of materials including solids, pastes, gels and liquids. Coupled with the unique A2 Technologies diamond internal reflection sampling system, this system is also capable of large surface analysis. Controlled and operated via a PDA device, the A2 Technologies Exoscan spectrometer combines all the unique capabilities of a laboratory-based FTIR with the advantages of a portable instrument that can be used in the field, ensuring real time results. Capable of non-destructive analysis, this new analyzer is ideal for applications for which the sample is too large to bring to the laboratory or too valuable to require a small portion to be removed for analysis.

Jon Frattaroli, CEO at A2 Technologies comments "For decades FTIR spectroscopy has been a powerful analytical tool but it has primarily been used for laboratory use due to its size, complexity and lack of instrument stability. Due to the increased numbers of applications where a sample cannot be brought to the laboratory or it cannot be put into a traditional FTIR bench due to the size of the material, we are excited to introduce this revolutionary analyzer that offers the power of FTIR spectroscopy with the portability of a handheld instrument."

The revolutionary optical system of the Exoscan is a monolithic, highly rugged infrared modulator that enables routine operation of the system in non-routine applications and environments without sacrificing performance.

This system operates in the 4000 to 650 wavenumber mid-infrared region and is capable of 4cm^-1 resolution. Additionally, the analyzer is equipped with three-level software architecture, providing methods development, supervisory and operator functionality.