Abstract: A system for controlling a motor driven stage of a microscope (10) includes video camera (22) for creating a video image of a sample on the stage. A computer (12) and associated display are used to create an image of the sample on the display. Graphical markers are superimposed on the image and facilitate the identification of and subsequent acquisition of data from points at which IR data is to be obtained. Also disclosed is a method of creating a display of an area of the sample greater than that which can be viewed by the area.

Abstract: A primary chromatographic system is operated with a standard sample at several temperatures to generate primary retention times which are fitted to a function to determine thermodynamic constants to relate the times to temperature. A target chromatographic system is operated with the standard sample to generate secondary retention times. The function is used with these times to determine and an effective column parameter for the target system. The function then is used with this parameter and the primary times to determine a pressure program. Further operation of the target system with a application sample and the pressure program effects standardized retention times. A particular searching technique is utilized to apply the function. A temperature calibration technique with a selected sample measures column temperature for the target system, and a validation is done on the target system.

Abstract: A system for acquiring IR-data including a microscope with a motor drive stage (48) and a video camera (40) for creating a video image of a sample on the stage. A computer (12) and an associated display (16) are used to create an image of the sample on the display. Graphical markers are superimposed on the image and facilitate the identification of subsequent acquisition of data from points at which data is to be obtained. The markers include representations of the required aperture size and the microscope including an automatically adjustable aperture (26) which can be set under computer control to a required size at each data acquisition point.