Metrohm Portable Raman Product Line

Significance of the topic

Raman spectroscopy offers non-destructive molecular analysis with minimal sample preparation, making it indispensable for in-field chemical identification, quality control, and research applications. Portable Raman instruments extend these capabilities beyond the laboratory, enabling rapid on-site screening in pharmaceuticals, materials science, forensics, and environmental monitoring.

Objectives and overview

This summary presents the B&W Tek Portable Raman Product Line, a suite of research-grade, handheld and benchtop Raman analyzers. The lineup ranges from compact models for basic screening to high-performance systems offering extended spectral range and enhanced sensitivity. The goal is to highlight each instrument’s specifications, accessory options, software support, and intended analytical use cases.

Instrumentation

The product line includes models i-Raman Plus, i-Raman EX, i-Raman Pro, i-Raman Prime, and STRam. Key hardware and software elements are:

• Laser excitation: available at 532, 785, and 1064 nm wavelengths to accommodate fluorescence suppression and sample compatibility.
• Laser power: nominal output from 30 to 420 mW at the probe tip, adjustable via integrated controls.
• Spectral range: spans from approximately 65 to 4200 cm⁻¹ depending on the instrument, with resolutions from <3.5 to ~10 cm⁻¹.
• Detectors: TE-cooled CCD arrays and InGaAs arrays with operating temperatures from –2 to –25 °C for low noise and high quantum efficiency.
• Relative throughput: performance benchmarks normalized to integration time and laser power, illustrating up to tenfold enhancements over reference models.
• Data interface: USB 3.0/2.0 or USB 2.0/1.1 connectivity for real-time spectral acquisition.
• Weight: ranges from ~3.4 to ~8.8 kg, balancing portability with ruggedness.
• Accessories: immersion shafts, video microscopy attachments, cuvette and vial holders, flow cells, long-working-distance lenses, probe mounting fixtures, and sample holders for tablets and liquids.
• Software ecosystem: BWSpec for data capture, BWID and BWID-Pharma for spectral library matching (including >450 reference spectra with GemID™), and BWIQ chemometric analysis. A full Software Development Kit and Vision software support custom integration.

Methodology and measurement approach

Samples are excited by a focused laser beam delivered via fiber-optic probe. The scattered Raman signal is collected and directed to the cooled detector array. Integration times vary from hundreds of microseconds to tens of minutes, allowing detection of both weak and strong Raman scatterers. Relative throughput metrics enable users to compare signal-to-noise performance across instruments under consistent measurement conditions.

Main results and discussion

The Portable Raman Product Line demonstrates:

• High spectral resolution (<4.5 cm⁻¹ at key wavelengths) for distinguishing molecular fingerprints.
• Extended spectral coverage up to 4200 cm⁻¹ for capturing overtone and combination bands.
• Low readout noise (approx. 15 counts) and dark current (<60 counts/sec) for improved detection limits.
• Variable integration times accommodating rapid screening or high-sensitivity analysis.
• Robust throughput gains—up to tenfold—boosting signal intensity without increasing laser power.

These characteristics support reliable identification of common compounds, trace detection of contaminants, and quantitative measurements in heterogeneous matrices.

Benefits and practical applications

Key advantages include portability for field deployment, modular accessory compatibility for diverse sample types, and comprehensive software tools for library matching and chemometric modeling. Typical applications:

• Pharmaceutical verification and counterfeit drug screening.
• Material identification in polymers, coatings, and composites.
• Environmental pollutant monitoring (e.g., microplastics, hazardous chemicals).
• Forensic substance analysis on site.
• Process monitoring in industrial settings via flow-cell integration.

Future trends and opportunities

Emerging directions in portable Raman technology focus on:

• Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for autonomous spectral interpretation.
• Miniaturization of laser-detector modules to further reduce weight and power consumption.
• Expanded spectral libraries and cloud-based data sharing for global collaboration.
• Hybrid sensing platforms combining Raman with infrared or fluorescence modalities.
• Advanced photonic enhancements (SERS substrates) for single-molecule detection.

Conclusion

The B&W Tek Portable Raman Product Line provides versatile, high-performance tools for on-site molecular analysis. With varied excitation wavelengths, superior detectors, and a rich accessory and software ecosystem, these instruments meet the evolving needs of research laboratories, quality assurance teams, and field investigators.

References

• B&W Tek Portable Raman Product Line documentation, Doc-Rev: 400000068-M (11/3/2020)