Raman spectrometers
for system integration

Choosing the right Raman spectrometer for your application

A Raman instrument consists of a laser, a probe, and a spectrometer, and, depending on your application, there are many things to consider when choosing equipment. For spectrometers used for Raman spectroscopy, sensitivity and resolution are often the most important parameters, and Ibsen Photonics’ highly sensitive spectrometers for Raman spectroscopy offer world-leading sensitivity and impressive resolution in a compact form factor.

Whether our offerings are right for you depends on your application’s requirements for technical parameters such as laser wavelength, spectral range, sensitivity, and resolution. The choice of laser wavelength is often determined by finding the right compromise between the Raman scattering signal and the fluorescence signal from your sample, and in many cases, a laser wavelength of 785 nm is a good starting point.

The spectral range is determined by the specific samples you are going to analyze. Most commonly, only the Stokes shift is measured, meaning that the wavenumber shifts are positive and the wavelength range is longer than the laser wavelength.

Considerations when choosing a spetrometer

Raman spectrometer sensitivity and resolution

In general, Raman signals are very weak and, the spectrometer used in Ramas systems therefore needs to be highly sensitive. This can be achieved by choosing a spectrometer with as high throughput as possible. Ibsen Photonics offers industry leading sensitivity through our in-house manufactured transmission gratings with the highest diffraction efficiency and widest bandwidth on the market. Furthermore, a high numerical aperture, a tall entrance slit and the use of a deeply cooled detector can provide high sensitivity.

The resolution of a spectrometer determines how well your instrument will be able to resolve closely spaced peaks. High resolution often means lower sensitivity, so it is generally advisable to choose a resolution just slightly larger than the wavenumber separation between the two closest spaced peaks in your anticipated spectra.

Considerations when choosing a spetrometer

Handheld or benchtop?

Besides the technical requirements, you should also consider how the instrument is going to be used. If the instrument is a handheld unit, it is important to consider size, weight, and possibly power consumption for prolonged battery operation. In that case, cooling should generally be avoided as it increases both weight and power consumption. If the instrument is a tabletop unit, the constraints on size, weight, and power consumption are not as stringent.

Raman spectrometer cost

Finally, the Raman spectrometer cost is naturally an important factor. Factors that drive the Raman spectrometer price upwards include cooled detectors and high numerical aperture optics. As a general rule of thumb, the smaller the spectrometer, the lower the Raman spectrometer cost.

Our Raman spectrometers

ParameterUnitEAGLE Raman HR 532EAGLE Raman HR 785EAGLE Raman-S
Wavelength rangenm532 - 732785 - 1080
800 - 1100
Wavenumber shift rangecm-10 - 51361)0 - 34802)200 - 36502)
Resolutioncm-18.53)5.83)6.34)
Numerical aperture0.20.20.3
Optical input optionsSMASMA
Free space, SMA or custom ferrule
Multi-channel capabilityNoNoYes
Detector optionsHamamatsu S11850-1106
or S14651-2048
Hamamatsu S11850-1106
or S14651-2048
Andor iVac 316
Detector coolingo C+5+5
-60
Electrical interfaceSPI or USBSPI or USBUSB
Dimensionsmm x mm x mm125 x 139 x 60125 x 139 x 60128 x 152 x 248

1) With 532 nm laser wavelength
2) With 785 nm laser wavelength
3) Maximum resolution with 20 x 1000 μm slit
4) Typical resolution with 20 x 3000 μm slit

Ibsen as your Raman spectrometer manufacturer

At Ibsen, we understand that volume manufacturing of application-specific Raman spectrometers is a completely different task than building a single scientific instrument. We are an ISO 9001 and 13485 certified manufacturer with decades of experience in volume manufacturing of OEM spectrometers.

Our emphasis is on the high and consistent quality of our products, ensured through our proven, robust designs and 100% outgoing inspection. Especially for Raman spectrometers, our low unit-to-unit variation can help you achieve model transferability between your instruments.

Our spectrometer designs have undergone environmental qualification to ensure proper operation within specified thermal, humidity, vibrational, and drop test conditions.

We have established long-term relationships with a range of qualified sub-suppliers, ensuring you a stable supply chain. Furthermore, we offer our OEM customers flexible supply options, typically based on frame order contracts or Kanban agreements.

All in all, Ibsen Photonics is a well-established spectrometer supplier that enables you to focus on your core business.

Advantages working with Ibsen:

  • Specialists in volume manufacturing

  • ISO 9001 and 13485 certified with decades of experience

  • High and consistent quality assurance

  • Low unit-to-unit variation for model transferability

  • Environmentally qualified spectrometer designs

  • Stable supply chain with flexible supply options

  • Enabling you to focus on your core business

Raman spectrometer FAQ

General questions about Raman spectrometers

The term Raman spectrometer can have different meanings depending on the context. At Ibsen we identify a Raman spectrometer as a device that detects the spectrum from Raman scattered light. As such, it is a sub-part of a complete Raman spectroscopy instrument. However, you may also find the term Raman spectrometer used for the complete instrument.

A Raman spectroscopy instrument is a device that use the Stokes or anti-stokes wavenumber shift caused by Raman scattering to identify and/or quantity materials.

A Raman spectroscopy instrument works by illuminating a sample with monochromatic light (typically from a laser) and detect the spectrum of the Raman scattered light.

The key components of a Raman spectroscopy instrument are: a laser, a probe, a spectrometer, and a software model.

A Raman spectrometer typically consists of an entrance slit followed by collimating optics, a diffraction grating, focusing optics and a photo-detector array.

A Raman spectrometer uses a diffraction grating to separate the different wavelength components of the Raman spectrum angularly. The different wavelengths are focused on a linear photo-detector array which converts the light intensity at each wavelength to a voltage/current. A Raman spectrometer will include a narrow aperture (slit) at the entrance which determine the resolution of the spectrometer.

More resources

Why Ibsen Photonics for Raman

Raman shift calculator

What is Raman spectroscopy:
Uses and applications

Video: Raman spectroscopy
for advanced applications

Raman spectroscopy applications

Raman instrumentation

Handheld Raman spectrometers

Why Ibsen Photonics for Raman

Technical notes
and white papers

Other resources by category

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