An XploRA confocal Raman microscope by Horiba Jobin Yvon, Inc., is available for open use at minimal cost at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge. The system includes a flat field spectrograph with a multichannel air cooled CCD detector and color camera optically coupled to an Olympus BX41 microscope. The microscope has 100x and 10x objectives and an option for viewing samples under polarized light. The lasers include a 532 nm 25 mW solid-state laser, a 638 nm 25 mW laser diode, and a 785 nm 25 mW laser diode. Options include four gratings (2400, 1800, 1200 and 600 grooves per mm), five filter options from 1-100 percent, variable pinhole and slit sizes and can achieve up to 1 µm XY resolution. Wavelength calibration can be performed on the XploRA system using a neon light source.
Spectral acquisition is controlled using Horiba’s LabSpec software (version 6) which is available with the microscope.
For those who would like to use the Raman system themselves, an initial set-up fee of $1,150 plus $8.50 per hr would be charged to cover costs of instruction, system maintenance, and parts replacement. Dorm rooms are available at Horn Point Laboratory upon request.
For those who would like to send samples to Horn Point for analysis, the initial set up fee would be $575. The hourly rate would include the costs of a trained technician and is available upon request.
For more information or to check the schedule of the system, please email Elizabeth North using “Raman microscope” in the subject line.