AIRsight

Anyone who wants to fully characterize organic and inorganic sample components faces a classic challenge: infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy provide complementary information - but until now only on separate devices. The AIRsight™ infrared Raman microscope solves this problem by combining both methods in a single instrument and recording IR and Raman spectra at exactly the same microposition without sample movement.

Complementary molecular information from one measurement

Infrared spectroscopy preferentially detects polar bonds such as O-H, N-H, C=O or C-O-C, while Raman spectroscopy is particularly sensitive for non-polar bonds such as C=C, S-S or C-S as well as for carbon materials (CNT, DLC, diamond) and inorganic substances such as pigments or titanium dioxide. The simultaneous use of both techniques at the same sample location significantly increases the accuracy of qualitative analysis - for example when identifying impurities where one method alone is not sufficient.

Precise positioning thanks to automated alignment system

An integrated XYZ correction system ensures that exactly the same sample position is approached after switching between IR and Raman objectives. The system offers space for up to five objectives - including one wide-angle objective, two IR objectives and two Raman objectives (50× and 100×). The wide-angle camera enables the observation of large sample areas of up to 10 × 13 mm, while the 100× objective resolves areas of only 7.5 × 10 μm. The confocal Raman optical system also allows depth measurements in the Z-direction - point-by-point or along a line.

Two lasers for broad application coverage

AIRsight™ is equipped with two laser wavelengths as standard:

• 532 nm: Generates intense scattering signals and high peak intensities
• 785 nm: Reduces interfering fluorescence overlaps with corresponding samples

The wavenumber range in IR mode (T2SL detector) extends from 5000 to 700 cm-¹, in Raman mode from 4000 to 150 cm-¹ (532 nm) and 3200 to 150 cm-¹ (785 nm).

Integrated software for seamless workflows

The AMsolution software controls IR and Raman measurements via a single interface. All process steps - from image acquisition to spectrum measurement and evaluation - run seamlessly. Functions such as automatic impurity detection, particle analysis (including calculation of major and minor diameter, mass and volume), high-speed mapping and chemical imaging based on PCA/MCR or peak areas are integrated. The validation program checks device performance according to Japanese, US, European and Chinese Pharmacopoeia requirements. Over 12,000 reference spectra are included as standard - sufficient for reliable qualitative analysis without additional libraries.

The AIRsight™ is suitable for a wide range of applications: microplastic analysis, forensic investigations, quality assurance in chemistry and electronics, materials science, pharmaceutical research and food analysis. Contact us to find out more about the possibilities for your specific application.