Spectroscopy
(Caudill Bldg, Rm 125)
Light spectrophotometers measure the intensity of light as a function of its wavelength or frequency. The Cary 5000 (originally sold by Varian Corp and now sold through Agilent Technologies) is a dual-beam absorbance spectrophotometer capable of analyzing liquid and solid samples at high scanning speeds, with several accessories that accommodate a variety of sample types. The Cary 5000 also features an external DRA 150 mm integrating sphere, which is ideal for reflectance or transmission measurements of large and physically challenging samples.
The Renishaw inVia System comprises a research-grade confocal microscope coupled to a high-performance Raman spectrometer used to identify and characterize materials by analyzing molecular vibrations. Raman analysis is non-destructive and non-contact, making it widely applicable to almost any sample. It provides a “molecular fingerprint” to determine chemical structure, phase, crystallinity, and molecular interactions.
The Edinburgh Instruments FLS920 is a steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectrometer spanning the ultraviolet to near-infrared spectral range, with unparalleled single photon counting sensitivity for measurement of low level optical radiation. The FLS920’s Time Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) technique for single photon acquisition enables photoluminescence lifetime measurements in the picosecond-to-nanosecond range.
Absorbance Spectrometer
- Extended dynamic range by attenuating the reference beam to balance the double beam signal levels, allowing measurements beyond 8.0 absorbance units
- Measure 175 to 3300 nm using a PbSmart NIR detector for lower stray light and extended photometric range
- Nitrogen purging—separate purging in the sample and monochromator compartments to reduce oxygen and water vapor in the ultraviolet
- Maximum scanning speeds of 2,000 nm/min (UV/Vis) and 8,000 nm/min (NIR)
- Spectral bandwidth of 0.01 – 5.00 nm (UV/Vis)
and 0.04 – 20 nm (NIR) - External DRA accessory with 150mm integrating sphere designed to perform reflectance, transmittance, or absorptance measurements of diffuse, specular, or mixed samples. Reflectance and transmittance mounting options are available for powders and small samples, including variable-angle center mount attachments for solids, film, and solutions. Three measurement modes: transmission, mixed (center), or reflection.
USES:
- Measure absolute reflection and transmission
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis
- Multi-angle spectral and diffuse reflectance
- Difuse transmittance measurements
- Thin-film and glass optical property measurements
- Analysis of liquids, solids, powders, and thin films
Raman Spectrometer
Renishaw inVia Raman Confocal Microscope
- Utilizes a quality and reliable Leica Microsystems research-grade microscope with a range of objective lenses for high-resolution optical imaging
- Three available high-intensity monochromatic lasers: 514nm, 633nm, 785nm
- Gratings: 1200l/mm, 1800l/mm, 2400l/mm
- Ultra-narrow notch filters: 532nm, 632nm, 785nm allowing access to Stoke and anti-Stock Raman; 405nm edge filter
- Low frequency confocal Raman (lowest detectable frequency ~6cm-1)
- Fluorescence range: 400-800nm
- Objectives (numerical aperture): 5x(0.12), x10 (0.30), 20x(0.4), 50x(0.5), 50x(0.75), 100x(0.85) and 150x(0.95)
- Stage resolution (mapping): 100nm (x-y), z- resolution <0.5um
USES:
- Quantitative and qualitative molecular analysis
- Measurement of vibrational modes (or phonons)
- Precise molecular identification, structural analysis, and chemical imaging
- Imaging (surface mapping)
Fluorescence Spectrometer
- Spectral Range: 200 nm to 2700 nm (depending on detector/grating)
- Single photon counting sensitivity (e.g. >25,000∶1 signal-to-noise for Water Raman)
- Excitation Lasers: 369nm, 445nm, and 485nm
- Monochromators: Czerny-Turner configuration (single or double)
- Detectors/grating: Standard PMT (200-870 nm); options for MCP-PMT, NIR-PMT (up to 1700 nm), and InGaAs (up to 2700 nm)
- Lifetime Range: Picoseconds (using Time-correlated single photon counting – TCSPC) to seconds (using Multi-Channel Scaling – MCS)
- Integrating sphere accessory for measurement of absolute photoluminescence quantum yield, reflectance, and transmittance of powders, liquids, and films.
USES:
- Steady state measurements
- Kinetic measurements
- Absolute quantum yield measurements using the integration sphere accessory (Analysis Guide)
- Steady state and time resolved singlet oxygen emission
- Monomer-excimer equilibrium
- Water quality assessments
- Time resolved (lifetime or TRES) measurements
- Steady state and time resolved fluorescence anisotropy
- Solvent relaxation dynamics
- Time-resolved FRET measurements
Do you need an accessory or geometry we don’t have?
If you have a specific test for which we do not have an accessory or geometry available, we invite you to contact us. We would love to discuss your needs and how our laboratory can perhaps meet them and find a solution mutually beneficial to your lab and the SM Core Lab.