Nanophoton, with world-leading development technologies for state-of-the-art laser microscopes, has designed an optical system optimal that enables spatial resolution close to a theoretical limit. RAMAN-11 features a high-quality, single-transverse-mode laser to realize the 350-nm spatial resolution that is far beyond the traditional standard (when using a 532-nm laser and a 100-powered objective lens with NA = 0.90). While the limit of spatial resolution of conventional Raman spectrometers is around 1 μm, RAMAN-11 can detect Raman light with high sensitivity even from a trace amount of a sample in a microscopic region and produce high-resolution images.
High-resolution imaging that captures carbon nanotubes
RAMAN-11 can image even carbon nanotubes that are present in the order of 1 μm or less.
RAMAN-11 uses proprietary slit confocal optics that enables the control of slit width by using a micrometer, while achieving spatial resolution as high as 1000 nm in the depth direction. The high confocality performs its best in the nondestructive observation of transparent samples. Even in the depth profiling of films and the cross-sectional observation of cells, RAMAN-11 provides high-definition Raman imaging.
What is confocal optics?
Confocal optics is a technology in which a pinhole placed in front of the detector cuts excessive light from places other than the focused plane. Low confocality allows the detection of noises, namely, Raman signals from defocused planes that are above and below the focused one, resulting in failures in the observation of a specific layer of a layered sample or high-sensitivity detection of weak signals from a sample.
Raman depth imaging of multilayered film
With an oil-immersion objective lens with high NA, RAMAN-11 enables depth profiling of a layer up to approximately 250-nm deep.
To increase the speed of Raman imaging dramatically, Nanophoton has developed a line illumination technology in which a laser beam is expanded into a line when it is beamed to the sample. RAMAN-11 excites and detects Raman scattering simultaneously from 400 points on the sample illuminated by a line beam, enabling ultrafast imaging several hundred times faster than conventional imaging.
High-precision scanning mirrors installed in RAMAN-11 enable laser beam scanning for imaging. They do not generate the mechanical vibration that is caused by conventional stage scanning. Therefore, RAMAN-11 can be used for the imaging of samples in solution.
Line illumination and beam scanning
Point illumination and stage scanning
Using an electric motor-driven stage, RAMAN-11 makes it possible to image a wide field while maintaining high spatial resolution—note that this feature is optional. Imaging of a field of up to 30 mm × 30 mm is possible by choosing an objective lens that is necessary for the required spatial resolution and setting the measurement range (step size) in the software application.
Ultrawide field imaging of diamond (Click the image for an enlarged view.)
The image shows a 2-mm2 of diamond captured using a 100X objective lens. RAMAN-11 makes it possible to image an area of the order of millimeters while maintaining a 350-nm resolution.
