By: Elizabeth Campbell

 Fluorescence is a useful tool for chemists to determine what wavelength of light a compound emits.  A Fluorescence Spectrometer (or Fluorimeter) is not a simple instrument and has a specific order in which different aspects must be turned on.  This process description will aid the user in this order, and will address any problems that may be encountered.

 This process description is intended for chemists with some basic instrument knowledge, along with basic knowledge of gas cylinder usage and necessary lab safety precautions.

Remove the stainless steel probe and fill the tank with liquid nitrogen. Then, replace the stainless steel probe securely in the opening of the tank. Stainless Steel Probe

A. Turn Xe900 lamp power switch ON B. You will see light turn on C. Monitor current and voltage: current should be 24 amps and voltage should be around 14 volts.

PROBLEM: Lamp fails to turn on What you will see: The FAULT light will be lit in red on the front of the lamp control box. SOLUTION: Simply turn off the lamp, wait approximately 15 seconds, and flip the switch back on again.

A. First check the gauges on the gas cylinder to ensure there is gas in the tank. If not, the tank must be exchanged for a new one. B. Turn on the Nitrogen gas so that the needle is just above zero (corresponding to approximately 0.2 bar).

A. Turn ON the Photocool system using the switch located on the back of the box. B. You must wait until the current temperature (the top reading) reaches the target temperature (the bottom reading set at -80°C). It may take up to an hour for the temperature of the system to reach the target and to stabilize at that temperature.

 PROBLEM: Photocool system cools too quickly and current temperature goes below -80 ° C  How you will know: The system will begin beeping very loudly  SOLUTION: Turn off Photocool system for 30 seconds and then turn back on. This will allow the system to regain equilibrium.

*ONLY PERFORM THIS STEP IF THE TEMPERATURE OF THE SYSTEM HAS REACHED -80 ° C!!! A.Once the target temperature has been reached, first turn ON main power switch (a) followed by pressing the red power button (b) to the ON position. B.SLOWLY increase the voltage to -1600V using (c). DO NOT GO HIGHER THAN THIS VOLTAGE! (a) (b) (c)

Turn on the spectrometer using the ON/OFF switch on the front shown here

 Next, begin the F900 program located on the desktop of the computer.  Now, all that is left is to lift the lid of the spectrometer, insert a sample contained in a quartz cuvette into the sample compartment, and begin your measurement. Sample Compartment