AQM_REVISED_confocal_Raman_specifications_with-3-lasers_V2.docx

Required specifications

A new Confocal Raman Microscope system that meets or exceeds the following specifications:

MINIMUM REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS

(offers made must meet all of the minimum technical specifications below)

TECHNICAL

· Capability of confocal Raman imaging of wood cell walls (in 30 microns or lower thickness sections) with lateral resolution of less than 1 micron and axial resolution of 2 microns at 633 nm laser excitation.

· For 532 and 633 nm excitations, with the lowest g/mm grating, spectral resolution better than 3.9 cm‐1 and for the highest g/mm grating, spectral resolution better than 1.1 cm‐1.

· For the 785 nm excitation, with the lowest g/mm grating, spectral resolution 2.7 cm‐1 and for the highest g/mm grating, spectral resolution 0.7 cm‐1.

· Spectral measurement capability up to 100 cm‐1 from the laser line.

· High through-put confocal spectrometer for the three laser excitations (532, 633, and 785 nm) and gratings.

· The microscope must be equipped with a high definition color camera to visualize the sample under white light illumination and the laser spot simultaneously.

· Optical microscope directly coupled to the spectrometer with turret and at least three microscope objectives – 10X, 50X, and 100X. Adapter rings applicable to the objectives shall be included. Neutral density filter is required for modulating laser power.

· Warranty that includes all parts and labor to be one year from the date of installation.

OPERATING

· Computer system with software for controlling Raman microscope and for data acquisition and processing.

· Multiple Perpetual Licensing minimum requirements

· One to run the instrument

· One for data analysis at user’s computer.

· Capability of the confocal Raman for future upgrade to a Raman/AFM/TERS system.

· Computer controlled grating turret and confocal hole.

TRAINING and ASSISTANCE

· At least one complete set of operating manuals shall be provided at delivery

· On-site training and any necessary calibration required

· User troubleshooting and virtual assistance available for the duration of the warranty

BEST VALUE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS CRITERIA

(in order of importance)

· Piezo-driven scanning platform – mapping stage with at least 100 microns movement in each X and Y directions, and 20 microns in Z directions with 1 nm resolution.

· 532 (power 50 mW), 633 (power 17 mW), and 785 (power 100 mW) nm laser excitation sources.

· Integrated confocal imaging spectrometer with three gratings Preference for 300, 600, and 1200 set or 600, 900, and 1800 g/mm set.

· Efficient (quantum efficiency at least 30% from 500 nm to 800 nm) thermoelectrically cooled (Peltier cooling to approx. – 65 degree C at room temperature) CCD detector (1024 x 256 pixels) with near-IR optimized anti-reflection coating: the detector shall be optimized for high-end confocal Raman imaging.

· Systems that can provide evidence that when cellulose fiber is under tensile strain, the spectrometer shows a shift to lower wavenumber in the cellulose Raman band seen at 1095 cm-1 (in unstrained sample) will receive a higher technical rating.

a. Resulting data analysis, reports or signed statements from stated company officers may all be submit for this requirement.