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News|Articles|October 6, 2026

Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Launch of New FT-IR Microscope for Microscale Chemical Analysis

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Key Takeaways

  • Rapid mapping performance enables up to 10 spectra per second at 5-µm spatial resolution, facilitating chemical imaging across large sample areas with practical throughput.
  • Dual-resolution workflow supports 1-µm visible localization and 5-µm infrared measurements, linking optical feature finding to molecular identification via microspectroscopy.
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The modular system is intended to help laboratories analyzing microplastics, pharmaceutical formulations, forensic evidence, and other microscopic samples.

A recent press release from Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the introduction of a new Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microscope that is now available to consumers for purchase. The new FT-IR microscope, named the Nicolet RaptIR X FTIR Microscope, is a system that combines high-definition optical microscopy with FT-IR microspectroscopy.1 It is designed to locate microscopic features in a sample and identify their molecular composition.1

According to the company, this new microscope is designed to make FT-IR microscopy accessible to laboratories without dedicated spectroscopy specialists, while offering the throughput and sample capacity that experienced users need for complex samples.1

What are some of the main specifications and features of this new system?

One of the main specifications of the RaptIR X FT-IR microscope was its speed. According to the company, the RaptIR X can collect up to 10 spectra per second at 5-µm spatial resolution, which is a rate intended to support chemical mapping of large sample areas.1

The system's visible resolution is 1 µm and its infrared resolution is 5 µm.1 Users can visually locate features at the micrometer scale and then acquire spectra from them for identification.1

What are some of the software-guided workflows in the system?

The microscope runs on Thermo Scientific OMNIC Paradigm Software. According to the company, this software provides guided workflows for sample acquisition and analysis.1 It is also designed to yield additional positive externalities. For example, the company stated that this software can shorten the path from measurement to result for users who are new to FT-IR microscopy.1 Because of this reason, Thermo Fisher Scientific believes that the RaptIR X can be used by both newcomers and experienced spectroscopists.

"The RaptIR X microscope brings the speed, precision and flexibility laboratories need to investigate increasingly complex samples, while making advanced FT-IR microscopy easier to use than ever before," said Ganesh Prasad, general manager of vibrational spectroscopy products at Thermo Fisher Scientific.2 “It's a platform that reflects our commitment to innovation, giving laboratories the confidence to move from a microscopic observation to a molecular answer, quickly and reliably.”

What hardware does the RaptIR X use?

On the hardware side of things, the RaptIR X uses a heavy-duty stage that accepts samples up to 40 mm thick and weighing up to 5 kg.1 According to the company, this makes the instrument useful for researchers who are conducting work with geological specimens and cultural heritage artifacts that do not fit conventional microscope stages.1,2

To reduce operator intervention, the system includes automated detector switching and a fixed detector position. Thermo Fisher says these features support consistent measurements across different spectral ranges.1,2

Can this new FT-IR microscope be integrated with other spectrometers?

The company highlighted the versatility of the RaptIR X FT-IR microscope in that it can operate as a standalone instrument or be integrated with other spectrometers.1,2 There are also optional modules that expand the instrument’s capabilities. Some of these optional modules include micro-attenuated total reflectance (micro-ATR), polarized visible and infrared analysis, fluorescence visualization, and near-infrared microscopy.1

What application areas can benefit from using the RaptIR X FT-IR Microscope?

According to the company, this new system can be used for a variety of applications, including materials science, including polymer and microplastics characterization, forensic analysis, art conservation and the study of historical materials, geological and mineral characterization, and pharmaceutical research and formulation analysis.1

The launch extends the Nicolet product line, which the company says represents 50 years of development in FTIR spectroscopy.1

What is Thermo Fisher Scientific?

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a scientific instruments company that supports customers across life sciences research, analytical testing, laboratory productivity, diagnostics, and the development and manufacture of therapies.3 Its global team combines technologies, easy purchasing, and pharmaceutical services through brands such as Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Gibco, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon, and PPD.3

References
  1. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thermo Scientific Nicolet RaptIR X FTIR Microscope. Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2026. https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/industrial/spectroscopy-elemental-isotope-analysis/molecular-spectroscopy/fourier-transform-infrared-spectroscopy/instruments/nicolet-raptir-x-ftir-microscope.html?cid=fl-raptirx (accessed October 2, 2026).
  2. Sternberg, C. Thermo Fisher Launches Nicolet RaptIR X FTIR Microscope. Contract Pharma, 2026. https://www.contractpharma.com/breaking-news/thermo-fisher-launches-nicolet-raptir-x-ftir-microscope/ (accessed October 2, 2026).
  3. Thermo Fisher Scientific, About. Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2026. https://corporate.thermofisher.com/us/en/index/about.html (accessed October 2, 2026).

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