Model 102M

Miniature/microscope Film Balance

Complete with: Trough with 2 mechanically coupled barriers Surface pressure sensor, PS4 Sapphire window Computer interface unit, IU4 Operating software, Generation 5 Monolayer kit Instructions manual and tutorial

This film balance is ideal for the study of monolayers under the microscope or for the study of small volumes of materials, particularly in biological applications. Isotherms of monolayers can be made and studied on the lab bench or on the stage of an optical microscope.

Compressions and expansions of the monolayer can be done one at a time or in pre-programmable cycles, to examine any hysteresis in the isotherm. The compression speed can be uniform or the barrier can be moved in small steps ('quasi-statically') to allow the film to anneal and give the 'ideal' isotherm.

The 102M has an overall thickness of only 25mm and fits on almost any microscope stage. Its area is 105cm² and volume only 42ml. Standard barrier speed is in the range of ±100cm²/min.

A 25mm diameter sapphire (single crystal Al₂O₃) is also provided to allow illumination of the monolayer from below, in the range 0.15 - 5.5µm for observation on a microscope stage. Optionally, a polished quartz window can also be fitted for high intensity laser studies. With the addition of a spectral photometer (for instance EG&G, Otsuka), it is very easy to make on-line transmission UV-VIS-IR spectra of monolayers at different compressions. Reflection spectra can also be made with the aid of a mirror on the trough floor.

Options

Note Option 2B:- The standard 102M comes with 2 mechanically coupled barriers which open and close together in symmetrical fashion about the centre line of the trough. An option 102M/IB is also available. In this option the two barriers are mechanically independent and driven by separate motors, and are coupled together in the software to operate symmetrically about the centre or to be driven together so that the monolayer may be 'scanned' under the microscope objective lens.

Inverting microscope attachment We also make a window holder that allows the observation of the monolayer from below. This consists of a stainless steel insert which raises the window to within 2mm of the water surface. The stainless steel is hydrophilic, so the water surface doesn't 'run off', as it does with PTFE. This attachment comes with a 0.15mm glass cover slide as a window which further reduces the optical path and allows the use of shorter (cheaper) focal length microscope objectives.

Dipper The 102M can also be converted to perform deposition of LB multilayers. To do this, the sapphire window is replaced by a PTFE well and a mini-dipper is added. This then becomes our Model 112D or 102M/D1.

Injection port We also offer an injection port to allow the injection of (for example) proteins directly into the subphase without having to break through the monolayer.

For more information please contact us on info@nima.co.uk