Ultrafast Raman Imaging Option
Enhanced speed and sensitivity for complete Raman Spectrum acquisition in less than 1 milliseconds
With the new "Ultrafast Raman Imaging Option" for the alpha300 R, the acquisition time for a single Raman spectrum can be as low as 760 microseconds. Thus a confocal Raman image with the complete spectral information at each image pixel can now be acquired in minutes. For example an image consisting of 250 x 250 pixel = 62 500 spectra can be recorded in approximately one minute!
Confocal Raman Image of a PS-PMMA polymer blend acquired with the Ultrafast Raman Imaging Option. 120x120 pixel = 14 400 spectra. measurement time: 2.3 ms/spectrum, 67 seconds/image.
The latest in Electron Multiplying-CCD (EMCCD) detector technology combined with the high throughput optics featured in the alpha300 R Confocal Raman Imaging System optimizes the Raman sensitivity to this cutting-edge level. An Electron Multiplying CCD is a normal CCD with an additional readout register which is driven with a much higher clock voltage than a normal CCD readout register. Due to this high clock voltage, an electron multiplication through impact ionization is achieved with an adjustable total amplification of the signal of up to 1000 times. With this setup, it is always possible to amplify the signal above the readout noise, enabling shorter acquisition times.
EMCCD-detector for Ultrafast Confocal Raman Imaging attached to the WITec UHTS 300 spectroscopy system.
Advantages:
- Reduced overall experiment time, while delivering more valuable data in a given time leads to reduced cost of ownership.
- Time-crucial operations in standard Raman Imaging can be rapidly performed.
- Delicate and precious samples requiring lowest levels of excitation power are ideally suited for analysis.
- Time-resolved Raman measurements allows for the investigation of fast dynamic processes (Spectra and/or Image series).
Real time demo of the acquisition of a Confocal Raman Image of toothpaste using the Ultrafast Raman Imaging Option. 200 x 200 pixel, 40 000 spectra, Scan Range 20x20 µm