Introduction to Hot Stage Microscopy
Hot-stage microscopy (HSM), is the combination of microscopy and thermal analysis to enable the study of materials as a function of temperature and time. Besides obtaining information about particle size and particle morphology, the visual examination gives valuable information about the compound with regard to melting point and other transformations during heating. Hot Stage Microscopy gives an unique opportunity to visually follow thermal changes.
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Hot Stage Microscopy can be used for:
- Compound morphology
- Solid-solid transformations
- Interaction between different compounds
- Dissolution of one compound in another
- Sublimation and/or evaporation
- Melting or liquefaction upon heating (solid-liquid transformations)
- Solidification upon cooling (liquid-solid transformations)
- Crystal growth and rate thereof
Hot stage microscopy is used in our polymorph screening: A initial heating of the compound is a very useful starting point, as it will instantly reveal new crystalline forms developing during heating and cooling of the compound.
Instrument and measuring principle
The instrument setup comprises of a heating stage (hot stage) with a sample holder coupled with a suitable polarized-light microscope and a system that allows measurements of video/pictures and temperature.
| Technical info | |
| Instrument | Olympus BX-50 Microscope connected to a Mettler Toledo Hot Stage. |
| Sample amount | < 1 mg |
| Temperature | RT to 375 °C |
| Result | Microscope pictures/movie showing the transitions during heating |
