Initial Publication Date: May 20, 2021

NanoEarth WITec alpha500 Raman-AFM Microscope at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech
https://nanoearth.ictas.vt.edu/

Contact Information

NanoEarth (National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure)

540-231-1922

NanoEarth@vt.edu

Blacksburg

VA

Instrument Type

WITec alpha500 Raman-AFM Microscope (Raman Spectroscopy)

The WITec alpha500 combines Confocal Raman Microscopy for 3-D Chemical Imaging and Atomic Force Microscopy for high resolution structural imaging in an automated system. It not only allows high resolution surface topography imaging with AFM at many different sample positions but also Raman Imaging, large area Raman scans and multi-point spectra acquisition at a user-defined number of measurement points. The Raman and AFM images of the same sample positions can then be matched and linked together for a comprehensive understanding of the sample's properties.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • 3 Lasers excitation sources (532 nm, 633 nm and 785 nm) with a multi-laser coupling unit for a maximum of experimental flexibility
  • Multiple objective selections including air (10x, 20x, 50x and 100x), water immersion (63x) and oil immersion (100x) objectives
  • A piezo stage (200 μm x 200 μm) coupled with a motorized microscope stage (10 cm x 15 cm) to allow for high-resolution confocal Raman mapping and large area investigations
  • Polarization dependent measurements
  • Research-grade optical microscope body with LED Köhler white-light illumination and video camera sample view
  • AFM mode: contact, AC and Pulsed Forced mode

More information and resources for Raman Spectroscopy are available on NanoEarth's website.


Application:

Applications include:

  • Identification of phases
  • Composition (elemental) of phases
  • Oxidation state (valence)

Typical Use:

Raman Spectroscopy is a non-destructive chemical analysis technique which provides detailed information about chemical structure, phase and polymorphy, crystallinity and molecular interactions. It is based upon the interaction of light with the chemical bonds within a material.

Conditions for Use:

  • Submitted samples will be analyzed on a contract basis (i.e. lab personnel will do the work)
  • Visitors are invited to work in the lab to work with lab personnel
  • Visitors are invited to work in the lab to design and do the work yourself
  • Users who wish to use an NCFL instrument without the supervision of an NCFL instrument specialists must complete the appropriate Training Sessions and become an approved operator. Training Sessions cover instrument operation and safety procedures as well as techniques for obtaining useful information. Training sessions are scheduled by appointment with an instrument specialist and include charges for the instrument and staff time. The total time needed for an individual to show competence on the instrument will be determined by the Instrument Specialist.

User Fees:

Current instrument rates available online: https://www.ncfl.ictas.vt.edu/policies.html ( This site may be offline. )

Instrument Priorities:

Remote Use:

Remote operation is not possible.

Sample Preparation:

Sample preparation is dependent on the specific sample and can be discussed with an instrumentation specialist.

Standard Collections/Lab Blanks:

Software:

Educational Use:

NanoEarth loves to host groups for demonstrations, workshops, tours, and other educational uses of the lab. Please contact NanoEarth@vt.edu to discuss opportunities.

  • Class demonstrations are available for undergraduates
  • Class demonstrations are available for K-12
  • Undergraduate student research projects are invited
  • Graduate student research projects are invited


Support provided by:

The NCFL receives support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) program. NSF support is vital to maintain the high quality of our facility and we strongly ask that you acknowledge their contribution in your publications and presentations that result, in full or part, from using our facilities.

In the case of regular users:

This work was performed in part at the Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory, which is supported by the Virginia Tech National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NanoEarth), a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), supported by NSF (ECCS 1542100 and ECCS 2025151).

In the case of users who received financial support (e.g., mini-grants, MUNI):

This work was supported by the Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory and the Virginia Tech National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NanoEarth), a member of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), supported by NSF (ECCS 1542100 and ECCS 2025151).