Raman spectrometers
for system integration

Choosing the right Raman spectrometer for your application

The best choice of a Raman spectrometer naturally depends on your specific application. Basic technical parameters to consider are 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. 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.

Raman spectrometer sensitivity and resolution

If the Raman signals are very weak, the spectrometer 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.

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.

Considerations when choosing a spectrometer:

  • Select your Raman spectrometer based on specific application needs

  • Laser wavelength choice balances signal and fluorescence

  • Determine spectral range according to sample analysis

  • Sensitivity and resolution trade-offs

  • Consider instrument usage and design

  • Cost factors

Considerations when choosing a spetrometer

Our Raman spectrometers

Overview of our Raman spectrometers by excitation laser wavelength, grouped into high-sensitivity and compact units.

ExcitationHigh ThroughputCompact
532 nm

Range (cm-1)
Resolution (cm-1)
EAGLE Raman HR 532
0 - 5136
7
FREEDOM HR-VIS / C-VIS
"0" - 6700
14/11
785 nm

Range (cm-1)
Resolution (cm-1)

Range (cm-1)
Resolution (cm-1)
EAGLE Raman HR 785
0 - 3480
5
EAGLE RAMAN-S
200 - 3650
6
FREEDOM HR-VIS-NIR / C-VIS-NIR
"0" - 3650
10/7



830 nm

Range (cm-1)
Resolution (cm-1)
EAGLE RAMAN-S
0 - 2960
6
FREEDOM HR-VIS-NIR / C-VIS-NIR
"0" - 2950
9/6

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

Video: Raman spectroscopy
for advanced applications

Raman shift calculator

What is Raman spectroscopy

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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