With Raman imaging you can identify particles as small as 1 µm, including API/salts/hydrates/polymorphs/amorphous forms, excipients, contaminants and degradation products. The new Spectrum Search module makes it easy to identify components in a mixture.

Study the characteristics of each component, including morphology, uniformity, agglomeration and size distribution.

What is Raman Imaging?

The Raman spectrum of each molecule is unique, like a fingerprint. You can use them to differentiate species that are chemically very similar, including
polymorphs, amorphous forms, salt forms and hydrates.

The Renishaw RA802 Pharmaceutical Analyser uses Raman imaging to generate detailed images of pharmaceutical materials such as tablets. Spectra are collected from across the surface, to build an image of the whole sample. This shows the distribution of individual components. Images can be generated in as little as 5 minutes.

Colours can be added to highlight chemical components and particle statistics. This gives you highly visual results, to help understand variations in formulations and the link between performance and chemical properties.

 More about Raman imaging

Benefits of Renishaw Raman

• Focus – Pharmaceutical samples are often rough or curved, which traditionally causes focus issues. The RA802 has LiveTrack technology, which moves the sample precisely along the x, y and z axis to maintain focus.
• Speed – Renishaw’s StreamLine technology uses a laser line instead of a spot to collect spectra. This speeds up the process, up to 1500 spectra per second for faster acquisition. It also reduces the risk of sample damage. More about StreamLine…
• Easy to use – The pharmaceutical analyser is completely software-controlled, and designed for use by multiple users and technicians. The process has been simplified, so you can use Raman in your lab with only minimal training required.
• Resolution – In certain cases, very high resolution is necessary to differentiate traces and inhomogeneities. Traditionally this was a lot slower, but with Renishaw’s LiveTrack and Streamline technology, you can map whole tablets in just 5 minutes at low resolution, or 2 hours at the highest resolution. The resolution can be as high as 1 µm per pixel – enough to reveal trace inhomogeneity and details.
• Batch mapping – While traditional chemical imaging systems can handle only one sample at a time, the Pharmaceutical Analyser offers batch mapping. Programme multiple samples to run sequentially, freeing up your time. Bespoke tablet moulds are available, to hold samples in place while the system moves between them.

Identify Components in Mixtures

Traditionally, identifying components in mixtures with Raman was a complex, time-consuming process. However with Renishaw’s new Spectrum Search module, you can identify them automatically. Simply specify the maximum number of components and the module scans multiple spectral libraries to provide all possible combinations, with scoring based on match quality and goodness-of-fit. Multiple libraries are searched simultaneously.

Combine Results with Other Techniques

You can now easily combine Raman images with results from other microscopy systems, including SEM, AFM, infrared, fluorescence and optical microscopy. Renishaw’s Correlate software module makes it easy to acquire data from the same region and overlay results for powerful insights. More info…