Bruker Introduces Second-Generation Inspire Nanochemical Imaging Solution

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Bruker today announced the release of its second-generation Inspire™ infrared (IR) nanocharacterization system, which features 10-nanometer spatial resolution infrared chemical mapping in an easy-to-use, laser-safe package. With IR EasyAlign™, Inspire simplifies scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (sSNOM), a powerful technique for identifying chemical composition at the nanoscale. For the first time, the highest resolution nanoscale chemical mapping now becomes widely accessible. The system expands upon Bruker's exclusive PeakForce Tapping® technology to provide new information for graphene research, polymers, complex materials and thin films, instantly correlating chemical maps with sample properties, such as modulus, conductivity, and workfunction. Inspire accomplishes all of this at the highest spatial resolution, making it an exceptionally powerful and versatile nanochemical characterization system.

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"Inspire is really the first fully integrated sSNOM solution. That combined with its PeakForce Tapping capabilities will allow us to perform novel experiments right from the start," said Gilbert C. Walker, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. "I am pleased to partner with Bruker to expand the great potential of sSNOM as a versatile tool for broader scientific discovery."

"Inspire is a nanoscale characterization system that extends atomic force microscopy into the chemical regime by providing 10-nanometer correlated infrared, mechanical and topographical information," added Steve Minne, Ph.D., General Manager of Bruker's AFM business. "This capability finally lets any researcher answer the fundamental question of ‘where is it?', and now also ‘what is it?' at the nanoscale."

About Inspire
Inspire provides infrared absorption and reflection chemical maps with a resolution only limited by the AFM tip radius, based on scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy. Inspire integrates all required optics, detectors, and configurable sources, as well as AFM hardware into a complete, laser-safe package. The system ensures accurate and optimized data in all channels by providing decoupled, stable optical alignment that is independent of probe position, combined with ScanAsyst® auto-optimization of the tip-sample interaction. The result is repeatable, expert-level data, without the need for alignment expertise. To expand the information available, the Inspire control integration enables the automated acquisition of hyperspectral image stacks, while Bruker's exclusive PeakForce IR™ instantly correlates the nanoscale chemical information with an expanding set of sample properties, including modulus, adhesion, conductivity, and workfunction. This full set of information is even accessible on samples not amenable to conventional contact and Tapping Mode-based approaches.

About Bruker Corporation BRKR
For more than 50 years, Bruker has enabled scientists to make breakthrough discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. Bruker's high-performance scientific research instruments and high-value analytical solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular and microscopic levels.

In close cooperation with our customers, Bruker is enabling innovation, productivity and customer success in life science molecular research, in applied and pharma applications, in microscopy, nano-analysis and industrial applications, as well as in cell biology, preclinical imaging, clinical research, microbiology and molecular diagnostics. For more information, please visit: http://www.bruker.com.

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