Spectroscopy
Raman spectrometer
Shines a laser on a sample and measures the tiny fraction of light scattered with a shifted wavelength. Gives a sharp molecular fingerprint through glass and plastic, ideal for raw-material identity and polymorph checks.
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotech
- Forensics & security
- Materials science
- Semiconductors
- Art conservation
TROUBLESHOOTING
Common problems, causes and fixes
Large sloping background, no clear bands
Likely causes
- • Fluorescence from the sample, impurities or the packaging
- • Coloured sample
What to do
- • Increase integration time or use fluorescence-reduction settings if validated
- • Measure in a glass vial instead of the bag
- • Use a 1064 nm instrument or another identity test
Authentic material fails
Likely causes
- • Different polymorph, hydrate or grade from the library material
- • Measurement through a fold, label or tinted bag
- • Probe not in contact or misaligned
What to do
- • Re-measure on a clear, flat area
- • Check the library contains this grade or form
- • Investigate before adding material to the library
Weak signal
Likely causes
- • Laser power low
- • Dirty window
- • Sample out of focus
What to do
- • Check laser power
- • Clean optics
- • Use the correct nose cone or vial position
Sample discoloured or burnt
Likely causes
- • Laser power too high for a dark or absorbing sample
What to do
- • Reduce power, defocus or use a rotating stage
- • Use another identity method
Wavenumber check fails
Likely causes
- • Temperature drift
- • Contaminated reference standard
- • Spectrograph misalignment or laser wavelength change
What to do
- • Let the instrument stabilise and repeat
- • Use a fresh standard
- • Call service and recalibrate
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management
Keep every Raman in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.