Raman microscope Renishaw's inVia Raman microscope can be used for nondestructive testing of sperm DNA for assessing the healthiness of sperm
cells. The instrument can be customized to integrate optical tweezing, which enables researchers to immobilize sperm cells
with a tightly focused laser beam. The resulting Raman spectra contain information about the vibrations of molecules within
the sperm cells and can be used to assess the state of its DNA. Renishaw, Hoffman Estates, IL; http://www.renishaw.com/
Raman microscope with AFM WITec's alpha500 confocal Raman microscope is designed to combine 3-D chemical imaging and atomic force microscopy for structural
imaging in an automated system. The system includes a motorized sample stage that allows multiarea, multipoint measurements
or overview scans on a user-defined number of points. The system's automated functions include integrated autofocus and an
AFM-tip approach. WITec Instruments Corp., Savoy, IL; http://www.witec-intruments.com/
Holographic polarizer Specac's holographic polarizers are available on barium fluoride, calcium fluoride, KRS-5, and zinc selenide substrates and
are manufactured at 2500 lines/mm. The polarizers are available in standard sizes of 25 mm or 50 mm diameter. Applications
include the polarization of radiation for unpolarized sources, attenuation of radiation from polarized sources, infrared spectroscopy
of materials, and NIR and mid-IR thermal imaging. Specac, Inc., Woodstock, GA; http://www.specac.com/
ATR accessory The GladiATR Vision attenuated total reflection device is designed to couple small-area infrared analysis with simultaneous
viewing. According to the company, the device's diamond crystal enables analysis of thick or nontransparent samples. The accessory
reportedly is compatible with most FT-IR spectrometers. Pike Technologies, Madison, WI; http://www.piketech.com/
Fluorescence spectrophotometer The model F-2700 fluorescence spectrophotometer from Hitachi High Technologies America is available in standalone and PC-controlled
configurations. The instrument reportedly features a signal-to-noise ratio of 800 rms for the Raman band of water at a 5-nm
bandwidth. According to the company, with PC control the scan speed is as high as 12,000 nm/min, which makes the spectrophotometer
useful for 3-D scan measurements. Accessories available for the instrument include automatic sampling, quantum yield measurement,
spectral correction, and a 100-μL microcell. Hitachi High Technologies America, Inc., Pleasanton, CA; http://www.hitachi-hta.com/spectroscopy/
