Metrohm i-Raman Prim portable Raman spectrometer

Significance of Portable High-Throughput Raman Analysis

The ability to acquire high‐quality molecular fingerprints outside a traditional laboratory has become crucial across many sectors, from pharmaceutical production to environmental monitoring. Portable Raman spectroscopy with research‐grade performance enables real‐time decision making, rapid quality control and non‐invasive material identification in remote or space‐restricted environments.

Objectives and Overview

This study presents the design and performance characteristics of the i-Raman Prime, a fully integrated, fiber‐optic Raman spectrometer optimized for high sensitivity and throughput. The system aims to combine broad spectral coverage, low noise operation and touchscreen control into a compact, battery-powered unit for field and laboratory use.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

The i-Raman Prime platform integrates:

• Excitation sources at 532, 785 and 1064 nm with adjustable output up to several hundred milliwatts
• Fiber-optic sampling probe with trigger compatibility for remote measurements
• High‐throughput spectrometer achieving resolutions below 6 cm-1 in key wavelength ranges and covering 100–3400 cm-1
• Detectors cooled CCD for visible/NIR and InGaAs array for 1064 nm excitation
• Embedded tablet computer running dedicated software packages (BWSpec for acquisition, BWIQ for chemometrics; optional BWID for material ID and regulatory compliance)

Main Results and Discussion

Benchmark tests demonstrate superior signal-to-noise ratio, allowing detection of weak Raman scatterers and low analyte concentrations with sub-second integration times. Spectral resolution metrics meet ASTM standards, ensuring clear resolution of closely spaced peaks. The STRaman technology option extends capabilities to through‐package and large-area sampling, retaining spectral fidelity.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The i-Raman Prime’s combination of portability, sensitivity and ease of use supports diverse applications such as:

• Bioscience and medical diagnostics
• Pharmaceutical raw material verification and process monitoring (PAT)
• Forensic analysis and environmental screening
• Geological, mineralogical and materials research
• Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiments

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging developments in portable Raman include integration with machine learning for automated spectral interpretation, cloud-based data management for distributed networks and miniaturized detectors for handheld deployments. Advances in fiber probe design and laser sources will further expand in-situ chemical imaging, continuous process analytics and non-destructive through-packaging identification.

Conclusion

The i-Raman Prime exemplifies a new generation of portable Raman systems that deliver laboratory‐level performance in the field. Its high throughput, broad spectral coverage and user-friendly interface offer versatile solutions for real-time qualitative and quantitative analysis across research and industrial environments.

Reference

No external literature references were provided in the original document.