Mobile Raman System
alphaCART from WITecalphaCART is WITec's mobile confocal Raman system for all applications that require taking the lab directly to the sample.
alphaCART's Raman probe can be flexibly placed in front of bulky, immovable, or precious objects that cannot be transported to a microscope or that do not fit on it.
The system's high confocality and signal sensitivity also allow measurements to be made through protective glass and windows, making it possible to study gases or chemical processes inside reaction chambers and other environments. Researchers working in the fields of art and archaeology, geo-sciences or materials science will benefit greatly from this versatile and powerful analytical tool.
- Freely positionable fiber-coupled Raman probe
- High spectral and spatial resolution, confocality and signal sensitivity
- Sample survey with white light illumination and color camera
- Extensive configuration possibilities for objective, laser, and spectrometer
- Transport flight case containing and protecting all components (optional)
- Advanced post-processing of data
- Polarization-sensitive measurements (optional)
- Full compatibility with alpha300 series upgrades and accessories
- Allows analysis of large samples that do not fit on a microscope
- Allows analysis of fragile or valuable objects that cannot be moved to a laboratory
- Allows analysis of processes inside reaction chambers
Further information
The alphaCART system takes advantage of the advanced optics and modular design of WITec's established alpha300 series Raman microscopes and benefits from WITec's long experience in fiber coupling technology. The laser, probe and spectrometer are connected through optical fibers that ensure maximum signal throughput and optimal beam shape. Therefore alphaCART offers the spatial resolution, diffraction-limited confocality and superior signal sensitivity as all WITec alpha300 systems.
alphaCART is available in different configurations to meet your specific needs in terms of excitation wavelength and spectrometer configuration. For detailed sample survey, white light illumination and a color camera are available. Data acquisition and post-processing are controlled through the latest version of WITec Suite software.
The complete, stand-alone alphaCART system is bundled in a compact flight case for easy and safe transport to experiments in the field. In addition, the Raman probe can be connected to a nalpha300 microscope to extend its flexibility within a laboratory.
Applications
Cultural Heritage
The high confocality and sensitivity of the alphaCART enable Raman analysis of fluorescing materials and weak Raman scatterers, even if the sample is behind protective glass or inside an enclosure.
For illustration, the Raman probe was placed in front of a framed poster with a portrait of Sir C. V. Raman. Using white light illumination and the alphaCART camera, a portion of the poster was magnified, showing different colored ink spots. The raw Raman data recorded at different positions with a 532 nm laser were partially obscured by the high fluorescence background of the paint. However, the application of efficient background subtraction algorithms included in WITec's Project software revealed the Raman spectra of the various pigments and of the coated paper. Due to the high confocality of the system, the protective glass in front of the poster remained out of the focal plane of the measurement, reducing the fluorescence background and enabling the detection of Raman signals.
Non-destructive characterization of art and historic objects
Being a portable system, alphaCART can be used to analyze objects that cannot be moved to a laboratory. A WITec Raman probe was brought to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria, to conduct the most in-depth analysis to date of the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire.
Raman and photoluminescence measurements of the Imperial Crown's 172 gems were performed in the Imperial Treasury in Vienna by researchers from the Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography of the University of Vienna. The study provided detailed information on this historical treasure, published in the Journal of Gemmology (DOI: 10.15506/JoG.2023.38.5.448).
Materials science: in situ observation of diamond coating
alphaCART is the ideal tool to monitor chemical processes inside reaction chambers. In this example, the diamond coating of a steel tool was observed in situ through the window of a hot filament CVD (HF-CVD) reactor. The probe was equipped with a long working distance objective. Its high sensitivity and confocality made it possible to detect the relatively weak Raman signals of the thin diamond layer despite the blackbody radiation of the hot sample.
Diamond coatings are applied to many machine tools and mechanical components because of their hardness, chemical inertness and wear resistance. In situ chemical characterization of the material is useful in order to optimize manufacturing methods, such as minimizing stresses in the finished tool. By placing the alphaCART Raman probe in front of the HF-CVD reactor, it was possible to obtain temperature-dependent Raman spectra from the diamond material during the entire coating process and subsequent cooling. From the Raman spectra, the positions of the sp3 peaks as a function of temperature (around about 1330 cm-1) were quantified. After subtracting the temperature-dependent Raman shift, it was possible to determine the thermal stress and quality of the diamond layer and draw conclusions about the crystallographic changes in the steel substrate.
Specifications
- Laser, probe, and spectrometer coupled via optical fibers for high signal throughput and optimal beam shape
- Flight case containing and protecting all components (approximately 100x60x60 cm) (optional)
- High spatial resolution and confocality (diffraction limited)
- High spectral resolution over the full spectral range (from about 90 to 3500 cm-1, depending on excitation wavelength)
- High-sensitivity, lens-based spectrometer optimized for the excitation wavelength, equipped with thermoelectrically cooled, scientific-grade spectroscopic CCD camera
- White light illumination and color camera for sample survey (optional)
- Wide selection of microscope objectives available
- Laser wavelengths available: 532 nm, 633 nm or 785 nm (others on request)
- Wide range of laser powers available (30 to >200 mW)
- Polarization-sensitive measurements (optional)
- Compatibility with alpha300 microscope series upgrades and accessories
- Data acquisition and post-processing with the latest version of WITec Suite software (including time series, advanced background subtraction algorithms, and more)
- Laptop with Microsoft Windows™ 11 operating system included
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Quantum Design s.r.l.
Via Francesco Sapori, 27
00143 Roma
Italy
| Phone: | +39 06 5004204 |
| Fax: | +39 06 5010389 |
| E-mail: | italy@qd-europe.com |
