Raman spectroscopy conducts compositional analyses at the sub-micrometre scale using a laser beam. The instrument at the CBM, a WITec Alpha500 RA, is equipped with two scanning stages allowing movement of the sample and thus is able map the composition on the scale of a few microns up to several centimetres. The confocality of the system permits the limitation of the analysis in depth and allows 3D mapping. The Alpha500 RA is also an atomic force microscope (AFM) working in different modes (contact, acoustic, Pulsed Force Mode®).
Measurements can be made in air or in liquid.
Raman
Raman column
Compositional image of fossilised bacteria in 800 million year-old rock obtained by Raman spectroscopy
3D image of a 3.5 billion year-old microbial mat obtained by Raman spectroscopy
