An application note from PerkinElmer discusses the use of the new Spectrum Spotlight chemical imaging system in the analysis of a four-layer laminate used in a monochrome photographic product
Photographic films have a complex structure, with multiple thin layers of polymer providing structural strength, gloss finish, photographic process chemistry and protection from scratches. Each layer must be intact and uncontaminated, to avoid inhibition of the photographic chemistry, or visual defects.
The Spectrum Spotlight system took less than two minutes to obtain a visual image of a 50-micron section of the film showing identifiable features.
A total absorbance map showed some detail, particularly in the filler layer.
Further spectral analysis across the entire area of the sample revealed two distinct components, which could be clearly separated by single wavenumber analysis.
The remaining layers were resolved using the band ratio feature of the Spotlight software.
Visualisation of all of the chemically resolved regions was carried out using Spotlight's layer manager feature to assign a single false colour to each image. The final image clearly shows that the packing material is contained within the packing layer, and does not impinge on the finish or chemical substrate.
Total analysis time from inserting the sample into Spotlight to the final superimposed image was less than 30 minutes, of which data acquisition time was less than two minutes.
