Find, Classify and
Identify Particles

WITec ParticleScout

https://raman.oxinst.com

WITec ParticleScout
Raman-based Microparticle Analysis
ParticleScout is an advanced software tool that finds, classifies, identifies, andquantifies particulate sample components. It leverages the speed, sensitivity,and resolution of WITec‘s Raman microscopes to accelerate microparticle
analysis by moving seamlessly from overview survey, through categorizationby physical attribute, to spectral acquisition and chemical characterization.
Catalogs of particles and quantitative reports can be created for reference andevaluation. Integration-time optimization and TrueMatch Raman spectral databaseintegration deliver the high sample measurement rate and chemical specificity
required by researchers in some of today‘s most dynamic application fields.

ParticleScout will help your analyses of:Minerals

Microplastics

Cosmetics

Environmentalsamples

Food and beverages Nanomaterials

Pharmaceuticals

ParticleScout is …
Specific

Fast

Automated

Easy and fast particle selectionand characterization•Measure up to 1000
particles per hour
• Analyze thousands of spectra
per minute•

PreciseSensitive

Target 0.5 µm particles•Raman> 0.5 µm

Comprehensive

Conclusive

Individual report
generation

Identify particles withintegrated Raman databasesoftware•High throughput
High reproducibility

Compatible with aqueoussamples• Specialized substrates not
requiredFTIR> 20 µm

Benefits
Bright-field

Dark-field

700 µm

with
Focus Stacking

700 µm

without
Focus Stacking

100 µm

100 µm01 Sample Survey
Sample illumination options: bright-field, dark-field,epifluorescence and transmission• Objectives for sample survey and Raman measurements
independently selectable• Image Stitching for large-area overview• Focus Stacking for sharp and defined particle outlines• Vignetting correction for uniform brightness• Region of interest selection (including multiple region targeting
and wedge sectioning of round samples)•

02 Categorization of Particles
Selection by physical shape and size (many properties accessible)
Application of Boolean filters for precise categorization• Automated mask creation for subsequent Raman analysis• Smart separation of particles in densely packed,
heterogeneous samples••

03 Identification
Automated Raman spectral acquisition from eachselected particle• Fast autofocus procedure using Raman signal• Integration time optimization for each particle
based on signal-to-noise ratio• Fast chemical identification of all particles withintegrated spectral database• Use of extracted information in WITec Control for
detailed follow-up measurements•

WITec TrueMatch spectral database management software

04 Report Generation
Quantitative reports of particles by category thatlink physical and chemical properties• Filters for more precise conclusions• Templates in table, bar graph histogram and pie
chart formats for clear and easy data presentation•

Fixed acquisition-time per particle+++…

TimeSample area+++…

Variable acquisition-time per particle
signal-to-noise ratio optimized

Time savings

Applications
Cosmetic Peeling Cream Measurement
A cosmetic peeling cream was analyzed with ParticleScout. Using dark- and brightfield images, particles were located and categorized as shown in the report examples
that detail their physical and chemical properties.
The sample was then investigated further with confocal Raman imaging. The overlay
image shows the Raman measurement within the bright-field image.

Dark-field image

Bright-field image

Raman image

100 µm

100 µmAnatase (TiO2)

Area [µm2] – Histogram

Material Distribution

Intensity (a.u.)

Unknown

AnataseBoron Nitride
MatrixOil Matrix

Boron Nitride

Raman shift (cm-1)

Corresponding Raman spectra

Feret Max. [µm] – Histogram

Eccentricity – Histogram

ParticleScout reports describing particle properties(3941 particles analyzed)

Microplastics Analysis with ParticleScout
The detection, characterization, and quantification of microplastic particles is especially important inenvironmental research and food sciences. A mixture of different microplastic particles was analyzed.
The Raman spectra of about 400 particles were measured in only about 45 minutes, and thenidentified using the TrueMatch database software. ParticleScout generated a comprehensive report.
A map color coded according to the material of the identified particles was overlaid on the dark-field
image. The size distributions for the different plastic particle types were also quantified.

PET

0 to 5 μm

PS

5 to 15 μm

PC

15 to 25 μm

PTFE

25 to 50 μm

POM

50 to 100 μm

others

100 to 150 μm

200 µmDark-field image with overlaid map of identified materials

Size distribution (maximum Feret diameter)of different plastic particles

Analyzing Grain Size Distributions in a Pharmaceutical Tablet
ParticleScout can be applied to overviews obtained by different imaging modes, such as bright-field,
dark-field or confocal Raman imaging. The high-resolution, large-area Raman image of a painkiller
tablet’s surface was color coded according to the Raman spectra of the identified compounds. The
individual Raman images of two components were analyzed and their grain size distributions weredepicted in a histogram.

Caffeine

LactoseIndividual Raman images of caffeine
and lactose

200 µmRaman image of the painkiller tablet’s
surface

Raman spectra in correspondingcolorsGrain size distributions for caffeine
and lactose

alpha300 S:
Scanning Near-field
Optical Microscopealpha300 A:
Atomic ForceMicroscopealpha300 R:
Confocal Raman
Microscopealpha300 apyron™: AutomatedConfocal Raman Microscope

We take care – WITec uses environmentally friendly printed materials.
While this policy is only a small contribution to a healthy environment, we at
WITec believe that focusing on details can effect positive change in the world.

WITec Microscopesalpha300 Ri:
Inverted Confocal
Raman Microscope

RISE®: Raman Imaging
and Scanning Electron
Microscopealpha300 access:Confocal Micro-Raman System

Find your regional WITec and Oxford Instruments
contact at https://raman.oxinst.com/contact
WITec Headquarters
WITec Wissenschaftliche Instrumente und Technologie GmbH
Lise-Meitner-Str. 6, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
Phone +49 (0) 731 140 700, Fax +49 (0) 731 14070 200
info@witec.de, https://raman.oxinst.com

Explore the ParticleScout
product pagehttps://raman.oxinst.com/products/
software/particlescout