Confotec® CARS
Description
Specification
Theory of CARS spectroscopy

General specifications of the system

Spatial XYZ resolution of CARS signals (objective lens: 60х, NA=1.2, water immersion):< 0.7 μm
Spatial resolution of Raman signals (excitation wavelength 633 nm; objective lens: 60х, NA=1.2, water immersion):XY: < 300 nm
Z: < 700 nm
Spectral detectable range:CARS signals: 985 – 5000 cm-1
Raman signals: 75 – 6000 cm-1
Spectral resolution:CARS signals: 7-8 cm-1
Raman signals:
0.25 cm-1 (grating 75 l/mm Echelle)
0.6 cm-1  (grating 1800 l/mm)
Scanning range
(fast scanning mode, 60x lens)
XY: 225 х 225 μm
Z: 80 μm
Control and automation:fully motorized
  • Spatial XYZ resolution of CARS signals (objective lens: 60х, NA=1.2, water immersion) < 0.7 μm.

  • Spatial resolution of Raman signals (excitation wavelength 633 nm; objective lens: 60х, NA=1.2, water immersion): XY: < 300 nm, Z: < 700 nm.

  • Spectral detectable range: CARS signals: 985 – 5000 cm-1; Raman signals: 75 – 6000 cm-1.

  • Spectral resolution: CARS signals: 7-8 cm-1; Raman signals: 0.25 cm-1 (grating 75 l/mm Echelle) and 0.6 cm-1 (grating 1800 l/mm).
  • Scanning range (fast scanning mode, 60x lens) XY: 225 х 225 μm; Z: 80 μm.

  • Control and automation: fully motorized.

Optical microscope

Type and model:inverted Nikon Ti-U
Stage:motorized
  • travel range:
  • accuracy (for 1 mm traveling):
  • XY repeatability:
  • minimal step:
  • 114 х 75 mm
  • 0.06 μm
  • ± 1 μm
  • 0.02 μm
Micro-objective lenses:60х NA-1.2 water immersion
20x NA-0.45
Z-scanner:piezo scanner
  • lens movement range:
  • minimal step:
  • repeatability:
  • 80 μm
  • 50 nm
  • < 6 nm
Illuminator for reflection mode:halogen lamp 100 W
Illuminator for transmission mode:LED
Laser input port:motorized triple turret
High resolution digital video camera:digital color CCD camera
  • sensor
  • ADC
  • 1/2″, 2048 x 1536 pixels
  • 10 bit, 12 frames/sec
  • Type and model: inverted Nikon Ti-U.
  • Stage motorized: travel range 114 х 75 mm, accuracy (for 1 mm traveling) 0.06 μm, XY repeatability ± 1 μm, minimal step 0.02 μm.
  • Micro-objective lenses: 60х NA-1.2 water immersion and 20x NA-0.45.
  • Z-scanner = piezo scanner: lens movement range 80 μm, minimal step 50 nm, repeatability < 6 nm.

  • Illuminator for reflection mode: halogen lamp 100 W.
  • Illuminator for transmission mode: LED.
  • Laser input port: motorized triple turret.

  • High resolution digital video camera = digital color CCD camera: sensor = 1/2″, 2048 x 1536 pixels; ADC = 10 bit, 12 frames/sec.

CARS excitation laser system

Single module optical parametric laser system consisting of:
Picosecond solit state Nd:YVO4 laser
output wavelength:1064 nm
pulse duration:6.5 ps
output power:6 W
pulse repetition rate:85 MHz
mode composition:TEM00
beam quality (М2):< 1.5
beam diameter:2 mm
Tunable SOPO (Synchronously pumped Optical Parametrical Oscillator)
wavelength tuning range:690 – 990 nm
output power:> 400 мW (800 nm)
pulse duration:5 – 6 ps
pulse repetition rate:85 MHz
polarization:horizontal
mode composition:TEM00
beam quality (М2):< 1.2
beam diameter:2 mm
Built-in delay tuning optical line

Single module optical parametric laser system consisting of:

  • Picosecond solit state Nd:YVO4 laser: output wavelength 1064 nm; pulse duration 6.5 ps; output power 6 W; pulse repetition rate 85 MHz; mode composition TEM00; beam quality (М2) < 1.5; beam diameter 2 mm.

  • Tunable SOPO (Synchronously pumped Optical Parametrical Oscillator): wavelength tuning range 690 — 990 nm; output power > 400 мW (800 nm); pulse duration 5 — 6 ps; pulse repetition rate 85 MHz; polarization horizontal; mode composition TEM00; beam quality (М2) < 1.2; beam diameter 2 mm.
  • Built-in delay tuning optical line.

Laser for Raman spectroscopy

Laser type:CW HeNe
Output wavelength:632.8 nm
Average output power:> 10 мW
Polarization:linear
Beam diameter:0.65 mm
Beam divergence:< 1.24 mrad
  • Laser type: CW HeNe
  • Output wavelength: 632.8 nm
  • Average output power: > 10 мW
  • Polarization: linear
  • Beam diameter: 0.65 mm
  • Beam divergence: less than 1.24 mrad

Laser beam convergence and appointment unit

Laser shutters:3 pieces (Nd:YVO4 laser, SOPO and HeNe laser)
Polarizer:2 pieces (Nd:YVO4 laser and SOPO)
Wavelength plate λ/2:2 pieces (Nd:YVO4 laser and HeNe laser)
Variable telescope:3 pieces (Nd:YVO4 laser, SOPO and HeNe laser)
  • Laser shutters: 3 pieces (Nd:YVO4 laser, SOPO and HeNe laser).
  • Polarizer: 2 pieces (Nd:YVO4 laser and SOPO).
  • Wavelength plate λ/2: 2 pieces (Nd:YVO4 laser and HeNe laser).
  • Variable telescope: 3 pieces (Nd:YVO4 laser, SOPO and HeNe laser).

Main optical unit

Optimized optics for spectral range:400 – 1100 nm
Polarization analyzer:Glan-Teylor prism
Laser beam attenuator:variable neutral density filter 0 – 3D
Pinhole lens positioner:three-axis (X, Y, Z)
CARS, Raman, fluorescence filters positioner:five-position
Positioner of dihroic filters:six-position
  • Optimized optics for spectral range: 400 — 1100 nm.
  • Polarization analyzer: Glan-Teylor prism.
  • Laser beam attenuator: variable neutral density filter 0 — 3D.
  • Pinhole lens positioner: three-axis (X, Y, Z).
  • CARS, Raman, fluorescence filters positioner: five-position.
  • Positioner of dihroic filters: six-position.

Imaging monochromator-spectrograph MS5004i

Focal length:520 mm
F number (input):9.8
Horizontal magnification:1.0
Vertical magnification:1.0
Vertical spatial resolution:< 20 μm
Flat field size:28 х 5 mm
Stray light
(20 nm from 633 nm laser line):
1 х 10-5
Diffraction gratings unit:4-position motorized grating turret
Spectral resolution
(wavelength 633 nm, CCD pixel size 12×12 μm):
0.01 nm (Echelle grating 75 l/mm)
0.025 nm (grating 1800 l/mm)
Entrance spectral slit:motorized confocal pinhole,
continuously adjustable from 0 to 1.5 mm
Output spectral slit:motorized,
width from 0 to 2 mm (continuously adjustable)
Ports:1 input, 2 output
Detector (Raman, E-CARS, fast measurements):Hamamatsu Photosensor module H7844
(with TE cooling)
  • Focal length: 520 mm.
  • F number (input): 9.8.
  • Horizontal magnification: 1.0.
  • Vertical magnification: 1.0.
  • Vertical spatial resolution: less than 20 μm.
  • Flat field size: 28 х 5 mm.
  • Stray light (20 nm from 633 nm laser line): 1 х 10-5.
  • Diffraction gratings unit: 4-position motorized grating turret.
  • Spectral resolution (wavelength 633 nm, CCD pixel 12×12 μm): 0.01 nm (Echelle grating 75 l/mm), 0.025 nm (grating 1800 l/mm).
  • Entrance spectral slit: motorized confocal pinhole, continuously adjustable from 0 to 1.5 mm.
  • Output spectral slit: motorized, width from 0 to 2 mm (continuously adjustable).
  • Ports: 1 input, 2 output.
  • Detector (Raman, E-CARS, fast measurements): Hamamatsu Photosensor module H7844 (with TE cooling).

Monochromator for fluorescence measurements

(integrated with MS5004i)

Focal length:100 mm
Input spectral slit:motorized confocal pinhole MS 5004i
Output spectral slit:fixed, width 4.2 mm
Diffraction grating:600 l/mm
Spectral range:400 – 920 nm
Linear reciprocal dispersion:13 nm/mm
Detector:Hamamatsu Photosensor module H7844 (with TE cooling)
  • Focal length: 100 mm.
  • Input spectral slit: motorized confocal pinhole MS 5004i.
  • Output spectral slit: fixed, width 4.2 mm.
  • Diffraction grating: 600 l/mm.
  • Spectral range: 400 — 920 nm.
  • Linear reciprocal dispersion: 13 nm/mm.
  • Detector: Hamamatsu Photosensor module H7844 (with TE cooling).

Spectral CCD camera (Raman, E-CARS)

Type:digital CCD camera
Photosensor:back-thinned CCD sensor 2048 х 122 pixels
Pixel size:12 х 12 μm
Photosensitive area:24.576 х 1.464 mm (length х height)
Spectral sensitivity range:from 200 to 1100 nm
Cooling with temperature stabilization:two-stage Peltier (TE) cooling down to -45 °С
ADC digitization:16 bit
Sensitivity:1 photon for 1 ADC count (at 650 nm)
Dynamic range:at least 10 000
  • Type: digital CCD camera.

  • Photosensor: back-thinned CCD sensor, 2048 х 122 pixels.

  • Pixel size: 12 x 12 μm.

  • Photosensitive area: 24.576 x 1.464 mm (length х height).
  • Spectral sensitivity range: from 200 to 1100 nm.

  • Cooling with temperature stabilization: two-stage Peltier (TE) cooling down to -45 °С.

  • ADC digitization: 16 bit.
  • Sensitivity: 1 photon for 1 ADC count (at 650 nm).
  • Dynamic range: at least 10 000.

Fast scanning unit (X, Y)

Scanners:Galvano-mirror scanners (X, Y)
Scanning modes:raster high speed and start-stop modes
Positioning accuracy:< 30 nm
Scanning area:225 μm х 225 μm (objective lens 60Х)
Full frame scanning speed:4 s/frame: 1000 х 1000 points
  • Scanners: Galvano-mirror scanners (X, Y).
  • Scanning modes: raster high speed and start-stop modes.
  • Positioning accuracy: < 30 nm.

  • Scanning area: 225 μm х 225 μm (objective lens 60Х).
  • Full frame scanning speed: 4 s/frame: 1000 х 1000 points.

Laser confocal microscope unit (Reflected)

Pinhole lens positioner:automated three-axis (X, Y, Z)
Motorized confocal pinhole:continuously adjustable from 0 to 1.5 mm
Detector:Hamamatsu Photosensor module H6780-01
  • Pinhole lens positioner: automated three-axis (X, Y, Z).
  • Motorized confocal pinhole: continuously adjustable from 0 to 1.5 mm.
  • Detector: Hamamatsu Photosensor module H6780-01.

F-CARS and transmitted signal registration system

Polarization analyzer:Glan-Teylor prism
F-CARS filters positioner:4-position, motorized
F-CARS signal registration detector:Hamamatsu Photosensor module H7844 (with TE cooling)
Transmitted signal registration detector:Hamamatsu Photosensor module H6780-01
  • Polarization analyzer: Glan-Teylor prism.
  • F-CARS filters positioner: 4-position, motorized.
  • F-CARS signal registration detector: Hamamatsu Photosensor module H7844 (with TE cooling).
  • Transmitted signal registration detector: Hamamatsu Photosensor module H6780-01.

Registration and processing control unit

Number of registration channels:5
Number of simultaneously registered channels:up to 5
PC connection interface:Ethernet 100 Base-T (TCP/IP protocol)
  • Number of registration channels: 5.
  • Number of simultaneously registered channels: up to 5.
  • PC connection interface: Ethernet 100 Base-T (TCP/IP protocol).