The concentration of oxygen in silicon wafers has a significant impact on their electrical resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to control the concentration of oxygen, even in extremely small amounts, in silicon wafers. However, a challenge arises when analyzing highly doped single crystals. Due to their unique properties and high doping levels, the analysis of oxygen in these samples becomes more difficult. The presence of impurities and dopants can interfere with the accurate measurement of oxygen concentration using FT-IR spectroscopy.

In this application note, Raman spectroscopy is explored as an easier and more flexible technique for quantifying common components in a CMP slurry, such as benzotriazole and glycine, without any sample preparation or costly consumables.

Polysilicon, the raw material for silicon wafers, requires strict control of carbon content, which affects its conductivity. As higher purity silicon wafers are required, it is important to understand the amount of carbon contained in polysilicon supplied as a material. However, some carbon is present as carbonate and some is attached as CO2, making it very difficult to distinguish between them and analyze the extremely small amount of carbon.

Graphene is foreseen for a handful of electronic and optoelectronic nano-devices. Making nano-devices out of graphene requires nanopatterning. Determining the quality of patterned graphene is essential and the detection of defects demands a sensitive chemical nano-characterization tool.

Vapor concentration control of precursors provide substantial improvement in stabilizing MOCVD processes. By measuring a precursor partial pressure in a downstream line with a Non Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) technology and controlling its total pressure, a precursor concentration can be kept constant. This precursor concentration control is validated as a practical method against a temperature fluctuation of a cylinder bath and a failure of reaching a saturation pressure in a cylinder.

The combination of microbeam and thickness measurement capability makes the XGT-9000 a useful tool for the QC of semiconductors, which feature thin and narrow patterns. Thickness sensitivity depends on elements traced, but can be at the Angstrom level.

The MOCVD process is a recognized controllable synthesis method that uses a variety of precursors like Trimethyl Indium (TMI) and Diethyl Zinc (DEZ) that require a robust delivery method to ensure process repeatability and high yield.

To accurately and quickly measure the amount of carbon and sulfur contained in the material.

Can we perform quantitative analysis of hydrogen in a titanium alloy to prevent hydrogen embrittlement?

In order to engineer materials with controlled diffusive properties, we need to be able to measure the diffusive process in situ. Ideally, we would like a technique that provides molecular information with resolution on a microscopic scale, that is non destructive of the samples, and can be set up and used on a laboratory bench top with a minimum of time and effort involved in sample preparation. Raman microprobe spectroscopy is an ideal candidate for this type of studies. Use of visible light combined with a confocal microscope provides a probe with spatial resolution of a micron or better, and coupling of such a microscope to a modern Raman spectrometer equipped with holographic notch filters and CCD multi channel detectors allows rapid acquisition of Raman spectra which can be correlated with the chemical state of the species and its physical environment.

A Li-ion battery is a rechargeable battery in which lithium ions move between the anode and the cathode creating an electricity flow. Whether you study new electrodes or coatings behaviors, charge and discharge processes, process controls, or perform comparative studies for Li-ion batteries, Pulsed RF Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry is a valuable companion tool.

The application note explains how the Raman Spectroscopy can be helpful in the analysis of cathodes and anodes in Li-ion batteries. Today’s state of art of technology requires more reliable, more efficient and powerful energy sources. Lithium-ion batteries are thus of high interest. Raman spectroscopy adapts to the different stages of life of these batteries, such as the characterization of new materials for more flexible systems, failure analysis; but also more standard analysis of used material during charge/discharge process, including structural and electronic properties, and even robust, automated QC tests.

The XGT-9000SL’s large chamber capacity allows you to put whole a brake rotor and carry out spectrum analysis and elemental distribution imaging on the rotor surface, non-destructively.

Concerns exist that advances in modern engine technology may contribute to large portions of solid particles at sizes smaller than 23nm. The EU Joint Research Center has confirmed this concern in several investigations.

After the introduction of Real Driving Emission (RDE) tests for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, focus is now also shifting to the area of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM).

A series of legislative measures has significantly reduced the amount of emissions that is being emitted by internal combustion engines of light and medium-duty vehicles.

Real Driving Emission (RDE) tests confirm the results produced during an emissions test on a chassis dynamometer to ensure that vehicles meet the set limits in the real world.

In 2016 the European Commission´s (EC) Member States agreed on new procedures and requirements for light-duty vehicle type approval certification introducing Portable Emission Measurement System (PEMS) for vehicle testing on the road.

To comply with newest emission legislation it is necessary to test vehicle emissions on chassis dynamometer with the corresponding driving cycles.

In order to optimize vehicles dynamics with regard to their speed characteristics and acceleration, fuel economy as well as handling, it is necessary to improve the vehicle’s drag coefficient (Cd). Drag is the force that impacts the vehicle dynamics in direction of the airflow. The drag coefficient is the main measurement of a vehicle’s aerodynamics. In research and development, manufacturers work on optimizing various performance characteristics in wind tunnel tests, including the drag coefficient.

The improvement of vehicle’s aeroacoustics plays a major role in the development process regarding comfort and customer perception as well as safety. The necessary acoustic measurements are carried out in a wind tunnel. In order to optimize the wind noise performance for the driver it is necessary to minimize the aeroacoustics noise sources generated by the vehicle's shape.

Recent developments CMOS technology allow widefield lifetime imaging, with the ability to measure FLIM in real time, to be employed to investigate mobile samples and kinetics, as well as remote imaging.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful plasmonics-based analytical technique for biosensing. SERS effect relies on nanostructures that need to be designed to maximize enhancement factors and molecular specificity. In addition to numerical modeling, an analytical tool capable of imaging localized enhancement would be an added value.

We introduced a fast and non-destructive imaging method for inorganic minerals on a multivitamin supplement tablet containing various essential minerals to body functions. We used the HORIBA XGT-9000 X-ray Analytical Microscope for the imaging, and we could visualize the distribution of the key inorganic elements on the tablet less than 20 minutes even though the concentration of the elements are tens of mg or less per tablet.

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles, 30-150 nm in diameter, which have been determined to play a crucial role in extracellular signaling. They have been observed in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, meaning they are incredibly widely spread in nature. Exosomes bud off from their parent cells in a sealed package, taking the properties of their parent cell walls with them and encasing many intracellular components.

A virus particle consists of several parts including the genetic material (DNA or RNA), a protein coat that protects these genes, and in some cases an envelope of lipids that surrounds the protein coat when they are outside a cell.

Due to Covid-19, a wide choice of protective masks are now on the market. These types of masks are distinguished, in particular, by their different efficiencies linked to their filtration capacity. These differences in protective properties have therefore made it essential to characterize the composition of the masks. In this paper, we present why LabRAM Soleil™ confocal Raman multimode microscope is the perfect tool for studying the distribution and composition of mask fibers.

In this Application Note, we will focus on the importance of monitoring particle size and distribution range throughout two different processing technologies used to improve shelf-life and efficacy of CBD products.

Size matters in vaccine delivery systems. Nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm generally present a greater immunogenic response than micro-particles larger than 1 micron.

The XGT-9000 is HORIBA’s new X-ray microscope. Its analytical versatility allows, multiple characterizations to be performed on a blister pack, from mapping of the full pack to particle size measurements of the capsule content.

We have measured solutions of lysozyme under conditions known to effect its physical state in order to investigate the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a non-invasive and label-free tool to assess protein formulation stability. Results from this study identified specific Raman signature bands in this protein that can be used to identify individual amino acid residues that are reflect structural changes in proteins.

In this note, the upstream process of analyzing viral preparations is addressed, as well as the use of multi-laser nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) as a cost and time efficient method to measure size, count virus particles, and correlate to infectious titer.

In the final step of the formulation process, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries have to control their products to check if the compounds' distribution in the final product, or in its application form, i.e. dispersed on a skin for an intracutaneous product, are homogenous and stable in order to guarantee the product's efficacy. In this paper, we present why confocal Raman microscopy is an excellent tool for product characterization after formulation.

X-ray Fluorescence photons can be partially absorbed by the encapsulated material and will not show in the spectrum. The X-ray transmission image provides a complete picture.

Polymorphisms characterization of active molecules is one piece of important information for the pharmaceutical industry, not only on raw powders, but also in the final form. Raman microscopy remains the most appropriate solution for this application. In this paper, we present an example of polymorphisms characterization by Raman microscopy using the super low frequency module.

In order to control formulations of pharmaceutical products, characterizing their active compounds is critical, especially in terms of morphological and chemical characterization of particles. In this application note, two formulations from a generic and an innovator nasal spray have been analyzed to compare their compounds size and shape, and chemically characterized to compare the two formulations based on the ParticleFinderTM app for LabSpec 6. A focus is done on the active compound.

Protein aggregation is an important concern when developing and manufacturing biotherapeutics. It is important to quantify protein aggregation and particle formulation as this data is needed to guide formulation development, evaluate handling requirements, and monitor product quality.

Resulting from the combination of Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy, Raman hyperspectral imaging has proven to be an indispensable tool in the pharmaceutical field. This article will broach a number of Raman hyperspectral imaging applications that were developed in our laboratory, in order to demonstrate the significance of the technique.

The use of low molecular weight molecules in the industries of drug discovery and agri-food has become increasingly important over the course of a century of drug research and science development in agriculture and in pharmaceutical field.

Many particle size measurements are made to track size reduction operations such as milling, mixing, homogenizing, etc. Laser diffraction is the most common analysis technique for monitoring size reduction operations due to its very broad dynamic range.

The study of protein aggregation encompasses a broad range of interactions and mechanisms. The LA-960 laser diffraction particle size analyzer possesses the unique ability to measure from 10 nanometers to 5 millimeters, accurately detecting the aggregates and, in some cases, the primary protein size.

The size of a protein is an important physical characteristic that provides useful information including the presence of monomers, dimer and trimer, changes in conformation, aggregation state, and denaturation. Protein scientists typically discuss “protein size” or molecular weight, as opposed to using the phrase “particle size”, but particle size analyzers are often used in their studies.

Pharmaceutical aerosols including metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are devices that deliver a specific quantity of drug to the lungs. The particle size distribution and shape of the delivered dose is more critical for inhalation aerosols than for most other conventional drug products because these factors greatly influence the deposition profile in the lungs of the patient.

The particle size distribution of active ingredients and excipients is an important physical characteristic of the materials used to create pharmaceutical products. The size, distribution and shape of the particles can affect bulk properties, product performance, processability, stability and appearance of the end product.

Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not by their structure. They are grouped under an alphabetized generic descriptor title such as vitamin A that includes the compounds retinal, retinol, and four carotenoids.

Nutraceuticals are food extracts that have been demonstrated to produce a physiological benefit or provide some protection against chronic disease. Nutraceuticals are the intersection of nutrition and pharmaceutical and can also include functional foods and dietary supplements.

This Application Note outlines three different kinds of spectroscopic tools being used for the characterization of sunscreens, and discusses the obtained results. These include Fluorescence spectroscopy for photoactivity, Particle Size analysis for composition and Raman microscopy for formulation investigation.

Laser diffraction particle size analyzers offer the same benefits in speed, precision, and reliability to nutraceutical materials that have made the technique popular in the pharmaceutical industry.

Liposomes are bilayer vesicles made of phospholipids derived from natural or man-made materials. They are mainly used in the pharmaceutical field for treatment of cancers as carriers of chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumor area.

This application note summarizes the reasons why static image analysis is becoming a popular technique for characterizing APIs.

The ViewSizer™ 3000 enables scientists to visualize and quantify the kinetics of protein aggregation in real-time for biologic therapeutics under a variety of stress conditions.

Biological tissues contain chromophores that absorb light, as well as fluorophores that absorb and reemit light (fluorescence effect). Light absorption depends on the chromophores’ content and their distribution within the organic matter.

The choice of protecting group is of crucial importance in the success of many steps in organic synthesis and the manipulation of polyfunctional molecules, since they can prevent the formation of undesired side products and reactions.

Resulting from the combination of Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy, Raman hyperspectral imaging has proven to be an indispensable tool in the pharmaceutical field, especially to study the distribution of active(s) and excipients in a pharmaceutical drug product.

Simultaneous imaging of transmission X-rays and fluorescent X-rays is effective to find defects inside electronic components.

μ-XRF is a non-destructive analytical technique which can inspect defects, even non-visible ones, inside a sample because of the high penetration of X-rays. This application note introduces failure analysis to detect ion migration, voids, and foreign matter on electronics using the XGT-9000, with key features of the vertical irradiation of a 10 μm probe and the simultaneous imaging of fluorescent X-rays and transmission X-rays.

Troubleshooting and defect analyses of components embedded within opaque resins are described, on both individual components and complete circuit boards. Quantitative analysis to the ppm level is ideally suited for ensuring compliance to the WEEE/RoHS directives.