i-Raman
The i-Raman® is equipped with B&W Tek’s patented CleanLaze® technology for exceptional laser stabilization and narrow linewidth. Other features include a spectral resolution as fine as 3cm-1, wide Raman shift coverage up to 4000cm-1, and a TE cooled 2048 pixel CCD array. With a convenient fiber optic interface, it can collect data to within 65cm-1 of the Rayleigh Line. It is unique for its high resolution combined with field-portability, with performance comparable to large bench-top Raman systems and weighing less than 7 lbs. The system’s small footprint, lightweight design, and low power consumption provides research grade Raman capabilities anywhere!
The i-Raman offers 532nm, 785nm, and 830nm excitation wavelength options. All i-Raman systems feature deep TE Cooling, allowing the maximum effective integration to be 4 minutes. This makes the i-Raman ideal for demanding applications involving low concentrations and weak Raman scatterers. |
Features
- Patented CleanLaze® Technology for Laser Stabilization
- 175cm-1 of the Rayleigh Line (65cm-1 Option Available)
- Fiber Optic Interface for Convenient Sampling
- Spectral Resolution of 3cm-1
- Wide Raman Shift Coverage
- TE Cooled 2048 Pixel Array
Specification
Applications:
- Bioscience and Medical Diagnosis
- Polymers and Chemical Processes
- Semiconductor & Solar Industry
- Food & Agriculture Industry
- Geology and Mineralogy
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Environmental Science
- Raman Microscopy
- Forensic Analysis
- Gemology
Laser
Creating Raman Scatter
In Raman spectroscopy, it is essential to utilize a clean, narrow bandwidth laser due to the fact that the quality of the Raman peaks are directly affected by the sharpness and stability of the delivered light source. The i-Raman® spectrometer system features a patented CleanLaze® technology with a linewidth < 0.3nm when equipped with our 785nm and 830nm laser. This technology results in the correct center wavelength and avoids the phenomenon of “mode hopping.” In addition, the laser output power can be adjusted in the software from 0 - 100%, allowing you to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio and minimize integration time. |
Filter
Collects Data within 175cm-1 of the Rayleigh Line
The center wavelength of the laser line is precisely maintained even when the peak power is increased by utilizing a series of high end filters. A laser line filter is used to clean up any side bands and ensure a narrow excitation is delivered to the sample by removing all secondary excitation lines before exciting the sample. The light collected from the sample is then filtered via a notch filter. Finally, an ultra steep long pass filter further removes lingering laser lines to allow accurate measurement of Raman peaks as close as 175cm-1 from the Rayleigh line. An E-grade filter upgrade is available, allowing the measurement of Raman peaks as close as 65cm-1 from the Rayleigh line.
The center wavelength of the laser line is precisely maintained even when the peak power is increased by utilizing a series of high end filters. A laser line filter is used to clean up any side bands and ensure a narrow excitation is delivered to the sample by removing all secondary excitation lines before exciting the sample. The light collected from the sample is then filtered via a notch filter. Finally, an ultra steep long pass filter further removes lingering laser lines to allow accurate measurement of Raman peaks as close as 175cm-1 from the Rayleigh line. An E-grade filter upgrade is available, allowing the measurement of Raman peaks as close as 65cm-1 from the Rayleigh line.
Detector
Cooled Detector for Low-Light Level Detection
Cooling an array detector with a built-in thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is an effective way to reduce dark current and noise to enhance the dynamic range and detection limit. The graphs below show the dark current and noise for an uncooled versus a cooled CCD detector at an integration time of 30 seconds. Operating at room temperature, the dark current nearly saturates the uncooled CCD. When the CCD is cooled to 10oC, the dark current is reduced by four times. This allows the spectrometer to operate at long integration times and detect weak optical signals.
Cooling an array detector with a built-in thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is an effective way to reduce dark current and noise to enhance the dynamic range and detection limit. The graphs below show the dark current and noise for an uncooled versus a cooled CCD detector at an integration time of 30 seconds. Operating at room temperature, the dark current nearly saturates the uncooled CCD. When the CCD is cooled to 10oC, the dark current is reduced by four times. This allows the spectrometer to operate at long integration times and detect weak optical signals.
Spectrometer
Optimized for Raman Spectroscopy
The spectrometer design in the i-Raman® is dedicated for Raman applications. You can customize your spectrometer by choosing from a variety of excitation wavelengths. In addition, each configuration can be further customized for your individual detection needs. Choose from wider spectral range or high resolution optimized systems. Research grade spectral resolution of 3cm-1 can be achieved with our double pass transmission optics. Most Raman applications do not require such tight resolution, so a wider spectral range would be the better choice in that case. The high-throughput optical layout of all i-Raman® configurations are ideal for those low-light level Raman applications. |
Probe
Easy Transition Between Sample Types
The probe allows for measurement of various materials in the form of liquids, gels, powders, or solids under both lab conditions (lab grade) or demanding environmental conditions (industrial grade). Constructed with state-of-the-art telecom packaging techniques, the probe has a flexible fiber coupling encased in a durable protective jacketing material which delivers Rayleigh scatter rejection as high as 10 photons per billion. Wavelength excitation probes come in 532nm, 785nm, or 830nm.
Custom wavelength excitation probes available.
The probe allows for measurement of various materials in the form of liquids, gels, powders, or solids under both lab conditions (lab grade) or demanding environmental conditions (industrial grade). Constructed with state-of-the-art telecom packaging techniques, the probe has a flexible fiber coupling encased in a durable protective jacketing material which delivers Rayleigh scatter rejection as high as 10 photons per billion. Wavelength excitation probes come in 532nm, 785nm, or 830nm.
Custom wavelength excitation probes available.
Software

B&W Tek offers comprehensive software packages that provide solutions for all application needs. Powerful calculations, easy data management, and user friendly easy-to-follow work flow are all at the tips of your fingers.
BWSpec™ is the foundation for all B&W Tek software platforms and comes standard with every spectrometer. Built on the proven BWSpec platform, BWID® is optimized for identification and verification of materials. For industrial Raman applications that require federal compliance: BWID-Pharma supports all requirements for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance.
The most recent addition to B&W Tek’s software portfolio is BWIQ® chemometrics software for use with the i-Raman® and other high resolution Raman products. BWIQ is a multivariate analysis software package which can analyze spectral data and discover internal relationships between spectra and response data or spectra and sample classes. By coupling new and transitional chemometric methods with cutting edge computer science technology such as sparse linear algebra algorithms, BWIQ represents the next generation in speed, accuracy, and performance.
BWSpec™ is the foundation for all B&W Tek software platforms and comes standard with every spectrometer. Built on the proven BWSpec platform, BWID® is optimized for identification and verification of materials. For industrial Raman applications that require federal compliance: BWID-Pharma supports all requirements for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance.
The most recent addition to B&W Tek’s software portfolio is BWIQ® chemometrics software for use with the i-Raman® and other high resolution Raman products. BWIQ is a multivariate analysis software package which can analyze spectral data and discover internal relationships between spectra and response data or spectra and sample classes. By coupling new and transitional chemometric methods with cutting edge computer science technology such as sparse linear algebra algorithms, BWIQ represents the next generation in speed, accuracy, and performance.