Spero IR Microscope
Unrivaled Mid-IR Spectroscopy
Spero® microscopes represent the world's first and highest-performing wide-field spectroscopic microscopy platform, using mid-infrared quantum cascade laser (QCL-IR) technology. Offering fast, high-quality data collection, these microscopes are perfect for demanding applications, from tissue diagnostics to cancer research and environmental studies. Developed by Daylight Solutions, Spero systems provide unmatched speed, sensitivity, and resolution in mid-IR chemical imaging.
DRS Daylight | Spero IR Microscope
Next-Generation QCL-IR Microscopy with Spero®
Imagine high-throughput and high-sensitivity, label-free infrared microscopy—that's the Spero®! Born from Daylight's expertise, the Spero platform is in its third generation. Now in use across the globe, the Spero systems have been field-tested in demanding applications.
Spero-QT 340: Next-Level Performance :
- Unrivaled Mid-IR Spectroscopy: Outperforming FTIR microscopes in speed and resolution.
- Twice the Data, Ten Times Faster: Generate unprecedented data in a fraction of the time.
- Unmatched SNR: Achieve high-quality data at unprecedented speeds.
- Versatile Design: Compatible with microfluidic devices and accessories.
- QCL-IR Advantage: Faster than Raman and Photothermal IR microscopes.
- Compact Footprint: Ideal for space-constrained labs.
Spero-LT 340: A Powerful Entry Point :
- Need the Spero performance but on a budget? The Spero-LT 340 offers high-performance speed and resolution, ideal for tissue imaging. It can also be upgraded to the QT model later.
Why Quantum Cascade Laser Infrared (QCL-IR) Microscopy?
QCL-IR offers higher spectral brightness and faster data collection compared to FT-IR. It provides high sensitivity without needing cooling systems or complex detectors, allowing for real-time chemical imaging. Unlike other techniques, QCL-IR can directly quantify substances with great accuracy, making it ideal for a range of applications.
QCL-IR vs. FT-IR Microscopy :
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) : QCL-IR microscopy offers higher SNR compared to FT-IR microscopy.
- Time-to-Results : QCL-IR microscopy is faster than FT-IR microscopy, allowing for quicker data collection.
- Light Source : FT-IR microscopy uses incoherent light (Globar), while QCL-IR microscopy uses coherent light (quantum cascade laser).
- Detector Requirements : FT-IR microscopy requires high sensitivity detectors and liquid nitrogen, while QCL-IR microscopy uses uncooled focal plane array detectors.
- Spectral Range : FT-IR microscopy offers a broader spectral range, but QCL-IR microscopy has shown success in various applications without needing this wider coverage.
How does QCL-IR Microscopy work?
A QCL-IR microscope consists of four main sub-systems:
- a tunable quantum cascade laser or string of QCLs working in concert to cover wider spectral ranges
- a set of wide-field imaging objective lenses
- an infrared sensitive focal plane array imager and
- a precision X,Y,Z stage. At any given instant, only a narrow wavelength (wavenumber) band emits from the QCL.
The exact wavelength of that laser is precisely controlled by actuation of an external cavity frequency selective element (a diffraction grating) and is done so seamlessly by the instrument at a rapid tuning speed (msec). The laser light is then transmitted (in the case of transmission imaging) through the sample, then passes through a wide-field infrared objective before it is collected by the focal plane array imager. In the case of the Spero microscope, the imager is a special, broadband and uncooled microbolometer camera operating at video frame rates. The wide-field imaging offers a very large field-of-view (FOV) compared to an FT-IR and enables live, single frequency and rapid hyperspectral imaging of samples.
Advanced Imaging with ChemVision™ Software :
The Spero systems come with ChemVision™ software, enabling users to visualize single-frequency images or collect hyperspectral data in under a minute. The software is compatible with MATLAB and ENVI, offering powerful tools for further data analysis.
Features & Benefits :
- Transmission, visible and reflection modes
- Diffraction limited, high-sensitivity imaging with Focal Plane Array (FPA) detector
- Multiple, high-NA, large FOV imaging optics (0.7 NA and 0.3 NA)
- Live, real-time infrared imaging
- High-throughput hyperspectral imaging enabled by ultra-high brightness QCL technology (>7 M spectral points per second)
- Large, flexible sample compartment
- Multiple configuration options including extended wavelength coverage and automated polarization control
- No cryogenic cooling needed
- Quick setup means more time for analysis
Applications :
- Biomedical imaging of tissues, cells, and fluids
- Cancer research
- Pharmaceutical testing of tablets, powders, and liquids
- Drug discovery: API and excipient optimization and down-selection
- Protein secondary structure and aggregation testing
- Real-time reaction monitoring
- Materials testing and analysis
- Forensics
- Chemical detection and identification
- Microplastic Research
Accessories & Configuration Options :
- Extended Wavelength – Add extended wavelength coverage to 1900-950 cm-1
- Polarization – Add rotation stage to take polarized images
- Blue Shifted – Add blue shifted range to 2225-2000 cm-1 and 1800-1200 cm-1
Product Specifications :
| Specifications |
IR Imaging Mode |
| Parameter |
HIGH-RESOLUTION
IR (0.7 NA) |
WIDE-FIELD IR (0.3 NA) |
| Wavelength
Range |
Spero-LT Standard Configuration: 1750 cm-1 to 1000 cm-1 Spero-QT Standard Configuration: 1800 cm-1 to 950 cm-1 Customizable between 2300 cm-1 and 800 cm-1 |
| Image
Cube Acquisition Time |
<
40 s (450 absorbance images collected at 2 cm-1 spacing) |
| Camera
Array Size |
480
× 480 |
| Image
Pixel Size |
1.3
µm (0.7 NA) |
4.3 µm (0.3 NA) |
| Diffraction-Limited
Spatial Resolution |
<
5 µm @ λ = 5.5 µm |
< 12 µm @ λ = 5.5 µm |
| Numerical
Aperture |
0.7 |
0.3 |
| Spectral
Resolution |
Variable,
down to 2 cm-1 |
| Minimum
Detectable Signal |
<
3 mAU per scan |
| Working Distance |
> 8 mm |
> 25 mm |
| Field of View (FOV) |
650 × 650 µm (0.7 NA) |
2 mm x 2 mm (0.3 NA) |
Videos :
Spero Advantages
Microplastic Analysis with QCL-IR Microscope
Brochures & Datasheets :
Spero-QT® Datasheet(pdf / English)
