Compact IDRaman mini delivers fast, accurate Raman analyses in the field and laboratory

Ocean Optics’ IDRaman mini handheld Raman spectrometer has been selected as a finalist for the Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation. The Prism Awards honor the best new photonics products on the market and draw entries from around the world. The prestigious awards, which are co-sponsored by the trade organization SPIE and the technology media company Photonics Media, will be awarded at the 2014 Photonics West trade show in February.

The IDRaman mini is a finalist in the Defense and Security category of the Prism Awards and is distinguished as a small-footprint, high accuracy instrument ideal for applications ranging from first responders identifying explosives to quality control specialists involved in sample authentication.

The IDRaman uses a novel sampling technique called Raster Orbital Scanning (ROS) where a tightly focused laser beam is moved or rastered across the sample in an orbital pattern. This allows an area about 10 times larger than the laser focus spot to be sampled, encountering more Raman active compounds. Because more Raman-active compounds are sampled, the resulting data incorporates a much higher sensitivity without sacrificing resolution. The increased accuracy in the Raman data further provides high confidence when identifying compounds through library matching.

Furthermore, the IDRaman mini is very small, just 9.1 x 7.1 x 3.8 cm (3.6 x 2.80 x 1.5 in.) and weighing about 11 oz. Its small size and operation from two AA batteries makes IDRaman very attractive for applications where a light, portable instrument is desired.

“The powerful performance of the IDRaman mini has captured the attention of both our customers and spectroscopy experts alike,” said Richard Pollard, President of Ocean Optics. “Combining the ROS technology into a truly handheld product makes accurate Raman measurements available for a variety of applications where fast, accurate material identification is important.”

The Prism Awards nomination follows industry recognition earlier in the year when the IDRaman mini claimed the Annual Readers’ Choice Award from Laboratory Equipment magazine.

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