Gateway Analytical utilizes the latest state of-the-art technology available for characterization of materials by spectroscopy and imaging. In addition to conventional analytical instruments (TENSOR Series FTIR Spectrometer and Bruker Optics SENTERRA Confocal Raman Microscope, etc) Gateway Analytical lab is equipped with FALCON II-the only Wide-field Raman Chemical Imaging System optimized for both chemical imaging and spectroscopy. It employs high throughput liquid crystal-based imaging technology and Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD) camera for Wide-field Raman Hyperspectral Imaging and research grade (triple-grating) spectrometer for Raman spectroscopy (spectral resolution of the FALCON II dispersive channel is 3.3 cm-1).
The FALCON II is designed with a modular configuration which allows Gateway Analytical Scientist to utilize other imaging capabilities of the instruments such as Near-IR or Fluorescence for complete analysis of the material without sample transfer or additional sample preparation. Using the FALCON II system, Gateway Analytical Scientists can obtain chemical images that detail material morphology, composition, structure, size and concentration. ChemImage Xpert™ Chemical Imaging Software is used by Gateway Analytical scientists for automated powerful data acquisition and analysis as well as image processing.
Since FALCON II system is equipped with a Nd:YAG laser ( 532 nm excitation), the achievable spectral resolution of the FALCON II Raman imaging channel is ~9 cm-1 (@ 532 nm). Diffraction-limited spatial resolution is achievable (~350 nm) for the Raman Chemical Imaging channel that makes system ideal for identification of chemicals of interest in complex backgrounds for examples for In Vitro Ingredient-specific particle size analysis. The ability to resolve subtle spectral shifts is on the order of <0.1 cm-1 makes system extremely valuable for In Vitro polymorph discrimination, defect detection in semiconductors and solid state materials evaluation of corrosion processes and identification of trace evidences, including chemical, biological and explosive threats.
The time required for imaging a single field of view varies based on the total number of spectral planes and the integration time per frame. When performing Raman Chemical Imaging, the area illuminated by the laser beam limits how much of the sample can be characterized in a single measurement. The diameter of the laser spot ranges from approximately 25 microns (100x objective) to 2 millimeters (1.25x objective). Falcon II System collects millions of spectrally unique data points at acquisition rates that surpass the speed of point mapping. Analysis of larger areas can be easily obtained by simply collecting a montage of adjacent fields-of-view on the sample-this technique is mostly used for coating and/or layer thickness, tablet blend uniformity studies and out of specification investigations.
