CRAIC Apollo II™ Confocal Raman Microspectrometer
| Brand | CRAIC |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Model | CRAIC Apollo II™ Confocal Raman Microspectrometer |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The CRAIC Apollo II™ Confocal Raman Microspectrometer is a high-performance, research-grade confocal micro-Raman system engineered for non-destructive, label-free molecular characterization at the micron scale. Built upon the principles of inelastic light scattering (Raman effect), it enables precise vibrational spectroscopy of solid, liquid, or gaseous samples with spatial resolution down to ~0.5 µm—limited primarily by the diffraction limit of the excitation wavelength and microscope objective. Unlike conventional benchtop Raman spectrometers, the Apollo II™ integrates directly with optical microscopes—either as a standalone modular add-on or as a fully coupled unit with CRAIC’s UV-Vis-NIR Microspectrophotometers—enabling correlative analysis across absorption, transmission, reflection, fluorescence, and Raman modalities within a single instrument platform. Its confocal architecture provides inherent optical sectioning capability, rejecting out-of-focus signal and enhancing spectral fidelity for layered or heterogeneous specimens such as thin films, semiconductor devices, biological tissues, and mineral inclusions.
Key Features
- Confocal optical design with motorized Z-axis control for depth-resolved spectral acquisition and 3D chemical mapping
- Modular laser integration supporting multiple excitation wavelengths—including 532 nm and 785 nm solid-state lasers—optimized for minimizing fluorescence interference and maximizing Raman cross-section sensitivity
- High-throughput Czerny-Turner spectrograph with low-stray-light optics and back-illuminated CCD or EMCCD detector options for superior signal-to-noise ratio
- Real-time spectral calibration using internal reference sources (e.g., neon or mercury-argon lamp) ensuring long-term wavelength stability ±0.1 cm⁻¹
- Patented all-solid-state construction with vibration-damped optical baseplate, enabling stable operation on standard laboratory optical tables without active isolation
- Full compatibility with standard upright or inverted research microscopes from major OEMs (e.g., Nikon, Olympus, Zeiss)
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Apollo II™ accommodates a broad range of sample types—including polished wafers, embedded tissue sections, geological thin sections, polymer films, and aqueous suspensions—without requiring conductive coating or vacuum environments. Sample stages support motorized X-Y-Z translation, programmable stage scanning, and temperature-controlled holders (optional). The system complies with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for analytical instrumentation validation and supports audit-ready documentation workflows aligned with GLP and GMP practices. When integrated with CRAIC’s UV-Vis-NIR microspectrophotometer, the combined platform satisfies ASTM E1840 (Standard Guide for Raman Microspectroscopy) and ISO 21348 (Space environment—Process for determining solar irradiances) spectral traceability protocols.
Software & Data Management
Acquisition and analysis are managed through CRAIC’s proprietary SpectraSuite™ software, a Windows-based application compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and signatures. It offers automated laser power calibration, real-time background subtraction, multivariate curve resolution (MCR), principal component analysis (PCA), and spectral library matching against commercial (e.g., RRUFF, ICDD) and user-defined databases. All raw spectra are saved in vendor-neutral formats (e.g., .spc, .jdx, .csv) with embedded metadata—including excitation wavelength, grating position, integration time, objective magnification, and stage coordinates—for full experimental reproducibility. Audit trails log every user action, parameter change, and data export event.
Applications
- Materials Science: Phase identification in battery cathode materials, stress/strain mapping in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides, defect analysis in graphene and carbon nanotubes
- Life Sciences: Label-free identification of protein secondary structure in fixed cells, lipid droplet composition in adipocytes, nucleic acid conformational changes in chromatin
- Geosciences: Quantitative analysis of fluid inclusion chemistry, polymorph discrimination in silicates and carbonates, hydrocarbon fingerprinting in petroleum-bearing rocks
- Semiconductors & Nanotechnology: Strain profiling in SiGe heterostructures, doping uniformity assessment in GaN epitaxial layers, plasmonic mode characterization in nanostructured metals
- Pharmaceuticals: Polymorph screening of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), counterfeit drug detection via spectral signature mismatch, excipient-drug interaction studies
FAQ
What excitation wavelengths are supported by the Apollo II™ system?
The standard configurations include 532 nm and 785 nm solid-state lasers; custom integration with 633 nm or 1064 nm sources is available upon request.
Can the Apollo II™ be used without a microscope?
Yes—it operates as a stand-alone confocal Raman spectrometer with an integrated XYZ sample stage and collimated input/output optics.
Is spectral calibration traceable to NIST standards?
Yes—internal calibration lamps are certified to NIST-traceable emission lines, and optional external calibration kits provide additional verification per ISO/IEC 17025.
Does the system support time-resolved or resonance Raman measurements?
Resonance Raman is enabled via wavelength selection; time-resolved capabilities require optional pulsed laser integration and gated detection hardware.
How is data integrity maintained during regulatory audits?
SpectraSuite™ enforces role-based access control, electronic signatures, immutable audit logs, and secure data archiving—fully compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements.
