IngentaConnect Optimizing Depth Resolution in Confocal Raman Microscopy: A Compa...

Authors: Everall, Neil¹; Lapham, Jonathan¹; Adar, Fran²; Whitley, Andrew²; Lee, Eunah²; Mamedov, Sergey²

Source: Applied Spectroscopy, Volume 61, Issue 3, Pages 52A-64A and 239-347 (March 2007) , pp. 251-259(9)

Publisher: Society for Applied Spectroscopy

Abstract:

Spherical aberration is probably the most important factor limiting the practical performance of a confocal Raman microscope. This paper suggests some simple samples that can be readily fabricated in any laboratory to test the performance of a confocal Raman microscope under realistic operating conditions (i.e., a deeply buried interface, rather than the often-selected alternative of a bare silicon wafer or a thin film in air). The samples chosen were silicon wafers buried beneath transparent polymeric or glass overlayers, and a polymer laminate buried beneath a cover glass. These samples were used to compare the performance of three types of objectives (metallurgical, oil immersion, and dry corrected) in terms of depth resolution and signal throughput. The oil immersion objective gave the best depth resolution and intensity, followed by a dry corrected (60×, 0.9 numerical aperture) objective. The 100× metallurgical objective was the worst choice, with degradations of ∼5× and 8× in the depth resolution and signal from a silicon wafer, comparing a bare wafer with one buried under a 150 μm cover glass. In particular, the high signal level obtained makes the immersion objective an attractive choice. Results from the buried laminate were even more impressive; a 30× improvement in spectral contrast was obtained using the oil immersion objective to analyze a thin (19 μm) coating on a PET substrate, buried beneath a 150 μm cover glass, compared with the metallurgical objective.

Keywords: CONFOCAL RAMAN MICROSCOPY; SPHERICAL ABERRATION; DEPTH RESOLUTION

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1366/000370207780220859

Affiliations: 1: ICI PLC, Measurement Science Group, Wilton, Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 4RF, UK 2: HORIBA Jobin Yvon, 3880 Park Ave., Edison, New Jersey 08220

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Optimizing Depth Resolution in Confocal Raman Microscopy: A Comparison of Metallurgical, Dry Corrected, and Oil Immersion Objectives