Cricket™ Reflection Accessories

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Harrick's Cricket™ is excellent for routine diffuse reflectance (DRIFTS) measurements of powders and other solid samples in quality control environments and research laboratories. Its design follows the Harrick tradition of true diffuse reflectance accessories for FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Like its more versatile Praying Mantis cousin, the Cricket™ optimizes the collection of the diffusely reflected light while eliminating the specular component. With a flip of a switch, the Cricket™ converts from its true diffuse reflectance mode to a fixed-angle specular reflectance device, collecting 60° specular or in-line 'diffuse' reflectance.

The Cricket™ is available in a downward sampling configuration for powder analysis and an upward model for cohesive solids. Both models are designed for rapid sample and crystal exchange without interrupting the purge of the spectrometer.

Cricket
Diffuse and specular reflection accessory 		Model No.
CRK-D-XXX 		Price
N/A
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Upward looking Cricket™
Upward-looking diffuse and specular reflection accessory 		Model No.
CRK-U-XXX 		Price
N/A
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NOTE: A Model No. ending in "XXX" denotes spectrometer code.

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Features
  • DRIFTS and specular reflection capabilities provide application versatility.
  • Eliminates the collection of the specular component in the diffuse reflectance mode.
  • Provides a fixed 60° incident angle in the specular reflectance mode.
  • Easy to use.
  • High sample throughput.
  • Low cost.
  • Pre-aligned for quick start-up.
  • Harrick's exclusive PermaPurge™ allows rapid sample and crystal exchange without interrupting the purge of the system.
  • Two models available:
    • Downward looking Cricket™ for diffuse reflectance measurements of powders, small cohesive solids, and liquids on TransFlex substrates.
    • Upward looking Cricket™ for cohesive solid samples of virtually unlimited sample size.
  • Compatible with most FT-IR and UV-Vis spectrometers.
Includes
  • Specular Reflectance Reference.
  • Three position sample holder (downward looking models only).
  • Mating hardware for the specified FT-IR or UV-VIS spectrometer.
 
Model No. Product Description Price
125-117 Apertures for Cricket, VR1-HRS; 30°, 45°, 60° Spec. Refl. Accys. Set of 3, 6 and 13 mm dia. apertures N/A
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CRK-CUP Sample Cup for Cricket 316 stainless steel replacement cup N/A
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DRP-STK Diffuse Reflection Sampling Tools Mortar, pestle, KBr powder, spatula, finger cots N/A
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Reference & Mirrors
Model No. Product Price
CRK-SPR Spectralon Reference for Cricket $124.00
CRK-ALN Alignment Mirror for Cricket $197.00
MOP-112 25 x 32 x 3.2mm Mirror $84.00

Download Cricket™ data sheet (pdf)

Download Cricket™ Application Notes:

Download Cricket™ References (pdf)

The Cricket™

The Cricket™ is an innovative reflectance accessory, featuring both true diffuse reflectance capability and 60° fixed-angle specular or in-line diffuse reflectance data collection. This is a powerful combination for collecting spectra from a wide variety of solid samples.

In its diffuse reflectance configuration, the Cricket™ optically eliminates the specularly reflected radiation and the reststrahlen bands associated therewith. With a flip of a switch, the Cricket™ converts to its specular configuration, where it illuminates the sample at a 60° incident angle and collects the radiation reflected on the same axis.

Figure 1. Infrared Diffuse Reflectance from Rye Flour Diluted in KBr.

Figure 2. Diffuse (top) and Specular (bottom) Reflectance Spectra from a Yellow 3M Post-It.

Figure 1 shows an infrared diffuse reflectance spectrum of a powder diluted in KBr, as is commonly done to achieve diffuse reflectance spectra without saturated bands. This spectrum was recorded relative to a KBr background on an FT-IR spectrometer.

Unfortunately, when recording true diffuse reflectance measurements, the signal levels are extremely low. This means an increased noise level. The Cricket™ allows a given sample to be examined by both true diffuse reflectance and 60° specular reflectance (in line diffuse reflectance) to determine which method is more appropriate.

Figure 2 shows the mid-infrared reflectance of paper, recorded in both the specular and diffuse mode of the Cricket™. Note that the sharp peak at 1132 cm-1 in the diffuse reflectance spectrum (upper curve) appears as a doublet in the specular reflectance spectrum (lower curve). This doublet is due to restrahlen effects. In addition, the structure of the bands around 1000 cm-1 is lost. Hence this sample would be better examined by diffuse reflectance, despite the smaller signal-to-noise ratio.

The Cricket™ is a powerful FT-IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy tool both for examining rough-surfaced solid samples and powder and for determining the best method of analysis.