Thermo Fisher Launched New FTIR Microscope

The Nicolet RaptIR X integrates infrared spectroscopy and optical microscopy for advanced chemical analysis.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Chemistry

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized, geometric scientific microscope on a cream background, representing advanced chemical analysis technology.
Thermo Fisher Scientific has released the Nicolet RaptIR X, a new FTIR microscope designed to accelerate high-speed chemical identification of microscopic laboratory samples. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Thermo Fisher Scientific has released the Nicolet RaptIR X FTIR Microscope to provide high-speed chemical identification of microscopic samples. The system combines infrared spectroscopy with optical imaging to streamline laboratory workflows.

Why it matters

This instrument simplifies the process of analyzing microscopic samples by offering improved speed and automated guidance for complex chemical investigations.

The microscope achieves an infrared spatial resolution of 5 microns alongside a 1-micron visible resolution. It supports samples up to 40 mm thick and 5 kg in weight while processing 10 spectra per second.

The players

Thermo Fisher Scientific

This global company provides analytical instruments, laboratory equipment, and software solutions for scientific research and diagnostics.

The details

The system utilizes OMNIC Paradigm Software to guide users through sample acquisition and analytical steps. Its modular design allows for specialized functions including polarized analysis, fluorescence visualization, and micro-ATR capabilities.

Timeline

  1. October 6, 2026: Thermo Fisher Scientific officially launched the RaptIR X microscope.

The Big Picture

This release continues the 50-year history of Nicolet innovation in the field of infrared spectroscopy. It advances the discipline by bridging gaps between traditional optical microscopy and high-speed analytical data capture.

Researchers and laboratory technicians can expect more efficient workflows due to the system's guided software and automated detector switching. These improvements may reduce the time required to characterize small-scale samples in materials science and pharmaceutical development.

The takeaway

The integration of optical and infrared data provides a more comprehensive view of chemical compositions in microscopic samples. Laboratories can leverage these automation features to increase throughput in routine chemical identification tasks.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest innovations in chemical analysis by visiting the Chemistry section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by AZoM.