Related Manuals for Hinds Instruments EXICOR MicroImager
Summary of Contents for Hinds Instruments EXICOR MicroImager
- Page 1 USER MANUAL Hinds Instruments, Inc. P/N: 010-0000-077-01 UM Rev A Software 025-0000-075 ver 2...
- Page 2 Information furnished by Hinds Instruments, Inc. is believed to be accurate and reliable; however, no responsibility is assumed by Hinds Instruments, Inc. for its use; nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Basic System Check ................... 32 Cleaning the Exterior ..................32 7 Troubleshooting & Help ................... 33 Diagnosing Common Errors ................33 Contacting Hinds Instruments ................34 A Technical Specifications ..................35 General Specifications ..................35 Measurement Specifications ................35 Software Features ....................36... - Page 4 Table of Contents ® B Exicor MicroImager Limited Warranty ..............37 Exclusions ......................37 Warranty Service ....................37 Non-Warranty Repairs ..................38 Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 5: Table Of Figures
Figure 14 Measuring Right Side of Stage................27 Figure 15 Position of Rotator...................28 Figure 17 Calibration procedure in process ..............29 Figure 9 Completed calibration procedure ..............29 Figure 18 Marking Location....................30 Table 1 Diagnosing common errors.................33 Table 2 Contacting technical support ................34 Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 6: Operator Safety Summary
Model Name _____, Serial No. _____, Manufacture Date: _____. Power Source This product is intended to operate from a power source that will not apply more than 250 volts rms between the supply conductors or between either the supply Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 7: Do Not Operate Without Covers
Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein, may result in hazardous LED light exposure. Persons other than qualified maintenance personnel should not unnecessarily remove covers. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 8: Mechanical Safety
The Exicor MicroImager contains no user-serviceable components. Refer any maintenance or adjustment needs to Hinds Instruments, Inc. Do not allow any liquids to get inside the equipment. Maintenance of the other elements of the system should be referred to Hinds Instruments, Inc. -
Page 9: System Overview
2X, 5X,10X and 20X. The system comes equipped with an objective turret for ease of switching objectives. When changing objectives, the focus block may need to be readjusted to bring the sample back into focus. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 10: Figure 3 System Main Components
System Overview Figure 3 System main components Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 11: Figure 4 Main Optical Components Of The System
Chapter 3: Operating the System POLARIZER (+45°) PEM (0°) CUSTOMER SAMPLE PEM (45°) POLARIZER (0°) Figure 4 Main optical components of the system Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 12: General Dimensions
System Overview General Dimensions Figure 5 Dimensions Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 13: System Operating Requirements/Setup
Regular use of offsets will ensure the best low level sensitivity for all measurement parameters. Hinds Instruments recommends daily offsets in a moderately temperature stable lab and hourly in an unstable environment. Note: All systems sold by Hinds Instruments are currently installed and supported only through Hinds Instruments, Inc. and authorized distributors. -
Page 14: Operating The System
During hardware initialization, the user might notice the LED and camera will initialize using the settings from the previous use. If the correct comport is used/referenced and there are no other errors during the initialization phase, the main window will come up as shown in Figure 6. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 15: System Warmup
The settings window has a “Temperature” drop down that will give real time camera temperature. Camera’s tend to hit stability while in Hinds Instruments’ lab around 51-55°C: Figure 7 Ximea CamTool settings window w/ temperature expanded... -
Page 16: Loading A Sample
This system includes a basic manually operated sample stage. The best way to get reproducible measurements is to make a custom sample holder that fastens to the stage in a repeatable way. Hinds Instruments can also supply custom sample holders as an option. -
Page 17: Measuring A Sample
Once the scan starts, there is a status bar at the bottom showing the amount of progress of the scan. When the scan is complete, the software will switch to the Data tab and display the results as shown in Figure 9. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 18: System Shutdown
1. Close the MicroImager software using the close button in the top right corner or navigate to FileQuit. Move the start/stop switch to the OFF position. All hardware devices inside the system will shut down. The PC and monitor can be shut down independently if necessary. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 19: Software Interface
Calibration The system does not need to be recalibrated on a regular basis but it is up to the user to decide if they want to recalibrate the system. Reasons Hinds Instruments would recommend recalibration include the following: 1. Moving the system from to a different room with drastically different temperatures. -
Page 20: Setting Exposure & Live Views
After you take an offset, you can choose to use the offset or not by checking the box above the offset button. A loaded offset will display which optical parameters and color combinations have a value that will be applied. For example, a blue/red, linear retardance offset will display as: Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 21: Display Of Data
Magnitude (|LR|), Retardance Angle (LR Angle) and the raw X and Y component data. The XY data are the raw values used with the intensity data to calculate the magnitude and angle. Each parameter has its own set of units to choose for viewing. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 22: Analysis
Double left click of the mouse will reset the heat map or the “Reset View” button in the left panel. Analysis The data analysis tools are on the right side panel as shown in Figure 13. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 23: Figure 12 Analysis Toolbar
Each shape, with exception of a single line, will report area statistics and statistics of pixels captured by the perimeter. The line shape will only report statistics from any pixel captured by the line. Clear all regions from the data map using the “Clear Region Selection” button. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 24: Multi-Order Samples
Occasionally, there is a need to measure retardation beyond the limit of a single wavelength. To do this multiple wavelengths need to be measured and unwrapped to find the correct order and value of a sample. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 25: Figure 12 Phase Unwrap Groupbox
“Unwrap”. The software will not allow a maximum input larger than the system is capable of measuring. It will take some time but the software will process the images and give you a multi-order result. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 26: Calibration
M3 hex wrench, then loosen the stage, level it, and retighten the screws. Check to make sure the stage is level again after retightening the screws. Figure 13 Measuring Left Side of Stage. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 27: Calibration Procedure
2. Centering an optic: Place the rotation stage with the Hinds supplied alignment pinhole onto the stage and fix it with blue sticky tack. It should look like Figure 15. Generally, it’s best to have the mark facing forward for ease of reading the measurement. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 28: Figure 15 Position Of Rotator
Figure 16. You may need to increase the intensity of the light by adjusting the LED current slide bar. 4. Remove the pinhole alignment tool. Return to the calibration tab and run the next calibration step. Figure 16 Centering Pinhole. Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 29: Figure 17 Calibration Procedure In Process
5. As the calibration procedure runs, it will plot data points in the current LED color. When complete with a color, a line fit of the data points will appear. Figure 17 Calibration procedure in process Figure 9 Completed calibration procedure Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 30: Figure 18 Marking Location
9. Start the retardance scaling procedure. After the first data set (air) is complete, a pop up will prompt you to move the wave plate back into the beam path. The first measurement should be taken with the rotator marked at Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 31 PC. To ensure proper storage, use the close window button or File→Quit to exit the software. Any other method or powering down the PC without exiting the software could result in loss of the data. Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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Page 32: Maintenance
Understand all mechanical and electrical hazards that exist in the system. Cleaning the Exterior When cleaning the exterior of the Exicor MicroImager, care should be taken not to scratch the surface or let liquids get inside the system. An ammonia-based cleaner (such as glass cleaner) works well for cleaning the outside. -
Page 33: Troubleshooting & Help
The software system back on. Be sure to plug USB An error within the software freezes cables back into the same port on the Restart the software. Table 1 Diagnosing common errors Exicor MicroImager User Manual... -
Page 34: Contacting Hinds Instruments
Troubleshooting & Help Contacting Hinds Instruments If it is necessary to contact Hinds Instruments for support, refer to the following table for the company contact information. Method Information Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM PST Telephone (503) 690-2000... -
Page 35: A Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications The Exicor MicroImager is an easy-to-use system for imaging the birefringence in optical materials. The system includes a sample stage to move the sample for measuring areas up to 76 x 50 mm and function with 2X, 5X,10X and 20X objectives. -
Page 36: Software Features
Multi-order retardation measurement Auto-exposure Color plot of all measurements Automated data collection and analysis of samples On-screen graphing of sample data Automatic calibration check, system initialization, and system status monitoring Exicor MicroImager User Manual... - Page 37 MicroImager Limited Warranty ® Hinds Instruments, Inc. warrants the Exicor MicroImager to be free from defects in materials and/or workmanship for (1) year from the date of delivery, subject to the provisions contained herein. Hinds’ warranty shall extend to the original purchaser only and shall be limited to factory repair or replacement of defective parts.
- Page 38 Repairs are warranted for ninety (90) days from the date of delivery. Reference chapter 7 (Troubleshooting & Help) on page 33 for contacting technical support. Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
- Page 39 Specifications Exicor MicroImager User Manual...
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