WITec Rolls Out alphaCART

This novel instrument bundles a freely positionable, fiber-coupled Raman probe with a laser, spectrometer, and laptop computer into a robust rolling flight case. It provides high signal sensitivity as well as diffraction-limited resolution and confocality. These features enable measurements through and within transparent materials and render weak Raman scatterers visible even amidst a high background. alphaCART also offers integrated white-light illumination and a color video camera for detailed sample survey.

Investigations in archaeology, the arts and cultural heritage, and geoscience are often conducted in the field or secure storage facilities. Materials science, process and civil engineering, and gas analysis experiments are regularly performed outside of conventional lab environments. alphaCART was developed to equip researchers working in these conditions with uncompromised analytical power.

“alphaCART delivers the full performance of our industry-leading confocal Raman instruments on-site for samples too big, valuable or fragile to be moved,” said WITec Product Manager Thomas Dieing, “It can characterize paintings under protective glass, be brought into vaults for nondestructive analysis of priceless treasures, and peer through windows into reaction chambers for real-time chemical process monitoring.”

alphaCART leverages the modularity of the alpha300 microscope series and shares its full range of upgrade possibilities and accessories. Excitation lasers of various outputs are available in 532 nm, 633 nm or 785 nm and others can be supplied upon request. Ultrahigh-throughput wavelength-optimized spectrometers, microscope objectives and positioning hardware are also customer-configurable.

WITec’s alphaCART will make its public debut at the RAA 2023 International Conference on the Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Art and Archaeology in Athens, Greece, September 6-9.

For more information, please visit the alphaCART product page.