L215 Integrated Raman Spectroelectrochemistry Microscope

L215 Integrated Raman Spectroelectrochemistry Microscope

The L215 Integrated Raman Spectroelectrochemistry Microscope is designed for laboratories that need Raman microscopy and electrochemical control within one compact measurement platform. It combines bright-field microscopic imaging, Raman spectroscopy, motorised Raman mapping and three-electrode electrochemical measurements in a coordinated workflow. The open-loop motorised XYZ stage provides broad sample travel and mapping resolution better than 2 µm, while selectable 532, 633 or 785 nm laser configurations support in-situ and operando studies of catalysts, battery interfaces, coatings and functional materials.

Product Overview

Conventional Raman spectroelectrochemistry often requires a separate Raman microscope, potentiostat, electrochemical cell and independent software packages. This can make instrument alignment, experimental timing and data correlation more difficult.

The L215 integrates the principal measurement functions into a compact upright microscope platform. Raman spectra, bright-field images, Raman maps and electrochemical data can be collected through a coordinated control and analysis interface. Its compact footprint also makes it suitable for confined research environments, including gloveboxes, where the available installation space and laboratory safety requirements permit.

The L215 is the open-loop-stage configuration within the product series. It is intended for laboratories requiring automated Raman positioning and chemical mapping without the higher-precision stage systems used in the O215 and C215 configurations.

How It Works

A sample or electrochemical working electrode is positioned beneath the microscope objective and connected to the integrated three-electrode electrochemical module. The microscope focuses the selected laser onto the region of interest while the electrochemical module applies the required potential or current.

Raman spectra can then be collected as a function of potential, current, time or position. Synchronised triggering between the electrochemical and Raman systems helps researchers correlate spectral changes with the corresponding electrochemical conditions. The motorised XYZ stage also enables automated point measurements and spatial Raman mapping across heterogeneous samples.

Key Features

• Combines Raman spectroscopy, bright-field imaging, Raman mapping and electrochemical measurements in one platform.
• Supports steady-state and transient Raman spectroelectrochemistry experiments.
• Provides synchronised electrochemical and Raman triggering with a specified delay of no more than 100 ns.
• Uses an upright reflected-light microscope with built-in LED illumination and an 8-megapixel imaging camera.
• Includes a five-position objective turret configured with 10×, 50× and 100× objectives.
• Features an open-loop, fully motorised XYZ translation stage for automated sample positioning and mapping.
• Offers selectable 532, 633 or 785 nm laser configurations for different sample and fluorescence conditions.
• Uses a dual-stage cooled detector to reduce detector noise during Raman acquisition.
• Supports Raman mapping with spatial resolution better than 2 µm.
• Provides particle-recognition and automated-positioning capability where included in the selected configuration.
  
  

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
System type	Integrated Raman microscope with three-electrode electrochemical control
Microscope configuration	Upright reflected-light microscope
Imaging	LED bright-field illumination with 8 MP camera
Objective turret	Five-position turret
Supplied objectives	10×, 50× and 100×
10× objective	NA 0.30; working distance 8.5 mm
50× objective	NA 0.75; working distance 3.0 mm
100× objective	NA 0.90; working distance 1.0 mm
Translation stage	Fully motorised open-loop XYZ stage
XYZ travel	≥60 × 60 × 30 mm
Stage step settings	5 µm full step; 2.5 µm half step; 0.25 µm at 20 microsteps
Stage accuracy	±3 µm
Raman mapping resolution	Better than 2 µm
Grating	Rotatable 1800 grooves/mm grating
Spectral resolution	Better than 4 cm⁻¹ with 1800 grooves/mm grating
Detector cooling	Dual-stage cooling to below −20 °C
Specified signal-to-noise ratio	5000:1
532 nm configuration	TEM₀₀ laser, ≥100 mW; 170–3900 cm⁻¹
633 nm configuration	TEM₀₀ laser, ≥30 mW; 170–3900 cm⁻¹
785 nm configuration	TEM₀₀ laser, ≥100 mW; 170–3400 cm⁻¹
Electrochemical configuration	Three-electrode operation
Applied voltage range	±10 V
Voltage accuracy	0.1% of full scale ±1 mV
Potential measurement deviation	0.2% of full scale ±2 mV
Current range	±250 mA
Applied current accuracy	0.1% of full scale
Current measurement deviation	±0.2% of full scale
Reference-electrode input impedance	>1 × 10¹² Ω
Raman–electrochemical trigger delay	≤100 ns
Data export	CSV and TXT formats
External control	Basic HTTP-based control interface
Dimensions	33 × 62 × 48 cm

Typical Applications

• In-situ monitoring of electrocatalytic reaction pathways and surface intermediates
• Hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution and carbon dioxide reduction research
• Battery-electrode and electrolyte-interface studies
• Monitoring solid-electrolyte interphase formation and electrolyte decomposition
• Raman mapping of two-dimensional materials and heterogeneous catalysts
• Potential-dependent studies of molecular films and surface-bound species
• Corrosion, passivation and protective-coating investigations
• Conducting polymers and electrochromic material research
• Automated Raman analysis of particles and microstructured samples
• Reaction kinetics and time-series Raman measurements

Compatibility and Selection Guidance

The matching spectroelectrochemical cell can accommodate standard disc electrodes, flat round or square metal samples, glassy carbon disc electrodes and carbon paper. Liquid flow-through operation can also be supported. The exact working-electrode geometry, electrolyte volume, sealing arrangement and optical working distance should be confirmed for each application before ordering.

The 532 nm configuration generally provides strong Raman scattering and is useful for many inorganic materials, carbon materials and catalysts, although fluorescence may occur with some samples. The 633 nm option provides an intermediate excitation wavelength, while the 785 nm option is commonly selected where reduced sample fluorescence is important.

The integrated electrochemical module presently supports three-electrode operation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is not provided by the built-in module and requires a suitable external potentiostat or impedance analyser.

The optical system uses slit-based confocal rejection rather than a physical confocal pinhole. Researchers requiring a specific pinhole-confocal architecture should discuss this requirement before selecting the system.

Laser sources used in the system are Class 3B. The final configuration, enclosure, laser eyewear, interlocks, warning labels, electrical documentation and laboratory safety controls must be reviewed before ordering and installation.

Why Source Through ScienceGears

ScienceGears can assist researchers in Australia and New Zealand with laser-wavelength selection, electrochemical-cell configuration, electrode compatibility, external potentiostat integration and application discussions. Each quotation can be configured around the customer’s sample type, electrochemical method, mapping requirements and laboratory installation conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes the L215 from the O215 and C215?

The L215 uses an open-loop motorised XYZ translation stage with ≥60 × 60 × 30 mm travel and mapping resolution better than 2 µm. The O215 and C215 use higher-precision stage configurations intended for applications requiring finer positioning performance.

Can Raman and electrochemical measurements be collected together?

Yes. The system combines Raman acquisition and three-electrode electrochemical control, with synchronised triggering for correlating spectra with potential, current and experimental time.

Does the built-in electrochemical module support EIS?

No. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is not currently included in the built-in module. EIS measurements require an appropriate external potentiostat or impedance analyser.

Is the microscope a pinhole-confocal Raman microscope?

The optical design provides slit-based confocal rejection, but it does not use a physical confocal pinhole. This distinction should be considered where a specific confocal architecture is required.

Which samples and electrodes can be used?

Verified options include conventional disc electrodes, flat metal plates, glassy carbon disc electrodes and carbon paper. Other sample geometries should be reviewed against the selected electrochemical cell and objective working distance.

Can the measurement data be exported?

Yes. Raw and processed spectra, maps, time-series spectra, electrochemical measurements and synchronised datasets can be exported in CSV or TXT format. A basic HTTP-based control interface is also available for selected automation workflows.

What safety considerations apply?

The system uses Class 3B laser sources. Required laser controls, protective eyewear, signage, enclosure arrangements and compliance documentation should be confirmed for the final instrument configuration and installation site.

Contact ScienceGears to discuss your sample, laser wavelength, electrochemical method, cell configuration and Raman-mapping requirements, or to request a formal quotation for the L215 system.