Quantum Northwest Inc.

qpod® Peltier Temperature Control for Fiber Optic Spectrometers

qpod®

•	Rapid and precise temperature control from -30 °C to +105 °C ± 0.05 °C
•	Designed for standard 1 x 1 cm square cuvettes or standard microcuvettes with a z-height of 8.5 mm
•	Variable speed magnetic stirring to maintain uniform temperature in the cuvette
•	Dry gas purge to reduce condensation when working at low temperatures
•	Light tight cover with access cap providing a means of holding a thermistor probe in the cuvette
•	Collimating optics available for straight through absorbance measurements
•	Imaging optics available for efficient excitation and light collection for fluorescent samples
•	Spherical mirror plugs available for enhancing excitation or emitted light
•	All optical components with focusing and position adjustments to maximize light throughput
•	Optical slits provided for limiting light access to the cuvette as needed
•	Optional filter holders for 12.5 mm diameter filters (25 mm filters may be used without holders.)
•	Optional polarizer
•	Input jack on temperature controller to accept a thermistor probe for measuring sample temperature
•	Optional Window-based software available for computer control of the temperature controller

Configurations available:

Product	Components
qpod-ABSKIT Absorbance	• qpod Sample Compartment • TC 125 Temperature Controller • two QCL-UV Collimating Lenses
qpod-FLKIT Fluorescence	• qpod Sample Compartment • TC 125 Temperature Controller • two QIL-UV imaging lenses • two QMP mirror plugs
qpod-MPKIT Absorbance and Fluorescence	• qpod Sample Compartment • TC 125 Temperature Controller • two QCL-UV collimating lenses • two QIL-UV imaging lenses • two QMP mirror plugs

Example of Data Collected with a qpod:

Thermal melting of a synthetic DNA performed with three linear temperature ramps using a qpod

Description
The qpod is constructed of a single molded housing. A Peltier-controlled cuvette holder in the center provides temperature control and variable speed magnetic stirring, and holds optical slits for limiting light access to the cuvette as needed. A dry gas purge may be used to minimize condensation when working at low temperatures. SMA fiber optic connections and high quality fused silica optics are inserted in different combinations into optical ports in the walls surrounding the cuvette holder. Accessories such as polarizers and filter holders may be inserted in the light paths. Spherical mirrors may be used to enhance excitation or emitted light. All optics provide focusing and position adjustments for maximizing signal throughput. The qpod includes a matched and calibrated TLC 125 Temperature Controller.

Cuvette Size and Types
The qpod holds a standard 10 x 10 mm path length square cuvette. To maximize thermal contact, the cuvette is held into one corner of a tower by a metal spring clip. The qpod is designed for a “z-height” of 8.5. Thus, the optical center line, or middle of the optical port, is 8.5 mm above the bottom surface of the cuvette. This is a convenient dimension because it minimizes the sample size in most cuvettes. It is also a standard height for microcuvettes and flow cells.

Availability
The qpod can usually be shipped the day an order is received.

Quantum Northwest provides temperature-controlled cuvette holders and photoacoustic instrumentation