Product category:
Optical microscopes
News Release from: Witec | Subject: Alpha500 and Alpha700
Edited by the Laboratorytalk Editorial
Team on 30 November 2007
Confocal Raman imaging and atomic force
microscopy
Witec's Alpha500 and Alpha700 are the first instruments on the market to combine confocal Raman microscopy for 3D chemical imaging and AFM for high resolution structural imaging in an automated system
Witec, a specialist in high resolution optical and scanning probe microscopy, introduces the Alpha500 and Alpha700 microscopy series for automated confocal Raman imaging and atomic force microscopy (AFM) on large samples A motorised sample stage with a travel range of 150x100mm for the Alpha500 and 350x300mm for the Alpha700 allows multi-area/multi-point measurements or overview scans on an arbitrary, user-defined number of measurement points
This article was originally published on Laboratorytalk on 29 Mar 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Enter a new microscope generation
Witec, a specialist in high-resolution optical and scanning probe microscopy has launched a new modular microscope generation, the Alpha300 series
Workshop introduction to confocal Raman microscopy
Workshop will cover recent developments in confocal Raman microscopy and its applications in the pharmaceutical industry, materials science and life science, including presentations by experts
Specific automated functions such as an integrated auto-focus and an automatic AFM-tip approach guarantee that standardised routine measurement procedures or manually defined sequences can be performed without any ongoing process control by an operator.
The instruments significantly reduce the overall experiment duration and deliver a greater amount of data in a given time for resource-minimised routine research or high-level quality control, bringing results to market or publication even faster.
"Analysing the samples automatically significantly accelerates the measurement cycles in routine experiments, guaranteeing rapid problem solving and an efficient return on investment" says Klaus Weishaupt, managing director of marketing and sales at Witec.
Further reading
62,500 Raman spectra in under two minutes
The new ultrafast Raman Imaging method is available as an optional feature of the Alpha300 R confocal Raman microscope and the confocal Raman imaging upgrades of the Alpha300 AFM and SNOM series
Mtec 2004 preview: ABB
ABB will be presenting the latest technology from its comprehensive range of instrumentation products and systems at Mtec 2004 (Birmingham NEC, 11-12 February 2004)
"The combination of confocal Raman imaging and atomic force microscopy in an automated system for large samples is unique worldwide.
"For the first time it is possible to not only chemically but also structurally characterise large samples automatically for the most comprehensive and rapid surface inspection on the sub-micron and nanometer scale".
Imaging applications involving systematic procedures and routine operations as well as large sample analysis benefit from the new automated design of the Alpha500 and Alpha700 series.
Wafer inspection, pharmaceutical screening, standardised coating and thin film analysis along with forensics or tissue screening are just a few examples of a wide variety of applications.
For high resolution confocal Raman imaging and AFM measurements, a piezo-driven scan stage with capacitive feedback-control and dynamic position control (TrueScan) is incorporated.
In the Raman imaging mode, a complete spectrum is acquired in as little as 760microseconds at each image pixel, resulting in images consisting of tens of thousands of Raman spectra being collected in less than a minute.
Differences in chemical composition will be apparent in the Raman image and can be analysed with a spatial resolution down to 200nm.
By simply rotating the objective turret, AFM capabilities are accessible, supporting all standard AFM modes and ensuing high flexibility throughout the full range of AFM applications.
• Witec: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Laboratorytalk email newsletter
• Laboratorytalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
