geoscience

National Facility for Geofluids Research and Raman Analysis

National Facility for Geofluids Research and Raman Analysis in NCESS is equipped with the most advanced digital Laser Raman Micro spectrometer with three lasers (785 nm, 325 nm & 405 nm) suitable for Raman spectral analysis and Photo Luminescence (PL) studies. The system is installed as part of a multi-institutional collaborative project “Palaeo Fluids in the Petroliferous Basins of Western Offshore- India” sponsored by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Govt. of India. The equipment is a high-sensitivity system with integrated research grade microscope, enabling high-resolution confocal measurements. With a comprehensive range of Rayleigh filter options, and motorised switching, it is easy to configure the system to suit various analytical needs.

What you can analyze?

Raman scattering with the Laser Raman Micro spectrometer system can characterize any solid, natural or synthetic material. Laser Raman Spectrometry for which doubly polished wafers used for fluid inclusion micro-thermometry are suitable can characterize fluid inclusions in minerals. Raman Spectra can be obtained on compact polycrystalline aggregates mounted on aluminium slides or embedded in a mould with the top surface polished. Powders/ Liquid samples can also be used.

Analytical briefs

Laser Raman Spectrometry can be done with 785 nm (300 mW), 405 nm (100 mW) and 325 nm (20 mW) (fixed wavelengths). With the use of motorized neutral density filters, we can work with 16 different power levels from 0.00005 to 100 percent of the actual Laser power. The spectral range of the equipment is from 50 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1 shift from the Laser line, accomplished with an edge filter. The Raman scattered light is dispersed with a grating and is having dual grating 1200 l/mm and 2400 l/mm. The detection is done by a Peltier cooled CCD detector with 576 x 384 pixels, with spectral resolution of 1 cm-1. The Raman system is fitted with XYZ mapping stage as well as confocal arrangement enabling imaging studies with spatial and depth resolutions of 1 and 2 µm respectively. The Renishaw Raman system has the flexibility for performing photoluminescence (PL) studies at two laser wavelengths. The system is fully automated and self-validating with auto aligning and optimization of input laser power. The operation of the equipment is fully software controlled.

Output

Results are distributed either as hard copy of the spectral traces or as soft copy of the spectral data (Intensity vs Raman Shift at 0.25 cm-1 interval/Intensity vs wavelength) in CD supplied by the user.