Handheld Raman spectroscopy is an excellent technique to fingerprint and identify materials; however, fluorescence can cause interference with the analytical peaks of interest. 785 nm laser excitation generates significant fluorescent interference for cellulose based materials found in many pharmaceutical excipients. SWIR (Short Wave Infrared) 1030 nm laser excitation sources provide the ideal handheld Raman configuration to fingerprint and identify cellulose based excipients. They provide the optimum excitation for high quality, valid Raman data and are lightweight, ergonomic, and unencumbered by cooling accessories. If they incorporate an IP67 dustproof seal, cross contamination between samples is avoided and washing with a bleach solution between samples is possible.

1. Selecting the Optimum Handheld Raman
Analyzer for Cellulose Based Excipients
SciAps, Inc.
Pharmaceutical Analysis Applications

2. Selecting the Optimum Handheld Raman Analyzer for
Cellulose Based Excipients
Raman analyzers are used extensively to identify unknown active and
excipient ingredients and to authenticate pharmaceutical end products.1
Convenient Handheld Raman Analyzers
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Can be used outside the lab
Provide fast, nondestructive analysis
Can test a sample directly or through transparent
materials such as glass or plastic
Note:
1 Raman spectroscopy is referenced by the USP‐NF (United States Pharmacopoeia – National Formulary) book of public standards for the
identification of materials, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), excipients, or drug compounds in various stages of the manufacturing
process. The USP (US Pharmacopoeia) and EP (Euro Pharmacopoeia) both recognize Raman spectroscopy for compendia identification.
SciAps, Inc.
Pharmaceutical Analysis Applications

3. Selecting the Optimum Handheld Raman Analyzer for
Cellulose Based Excipients
Entry level 785 nm laser Raman analyzers are
effectively used in the pharma industry because they
provide a good, cost effective balance of Raman
signal to background for most materials.
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Hundreds of API’s and excipients ID’d in seconds
21 CFR Part 11 Compliant
Rapid return on investment
Easy and powerful pass/fail analysis
Graphics, plots, data importation, auditing, and
user controls
Analysis through containers and packaging
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Intensity
Entry Level 785 nm Handheld Raman Analyzers
785 nm Raman provides
good signal to background
for most materials
0
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Wavenumber (cm‐1)
Pharmaceutical Analysis Applications

4. Selecting the Optimum Handheld Raman Analyzer for
Cellulose Based Excipients
But, many of the new pharma ingredients, including cellulose excipients,
fluoresce significantly and generate substantial interference in the
analytical region of interest with a 785 nm excitation laser.
785 nm Laser Excitation Generates Significant Fluorescent
Interference for Cellulose Based Materials
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SciAps, Inc.
Optical and NIR (Near Infrared) fluorescence of
cellulose compounds essentially creates a broad
“hump” in the 785 nm spectrum
Raman peaks critical for pharma analysis are
obscured with the 785 nm excitation laser
Raman peaks of Croscarmellose at 785 nm lack
discernable features
Pharmaceutical Analysis Applications

5. Selecting the Optimum Handheld Raman Analyzer for
Cellulose Based Excipients
Handheld Raman analyzers incorporating a SWIR (Short Wave Infrared) 1030 nm
laser excitation source provide the ideal configuration for cellulose based
materials because the 1030 nm laser suppresses the fluorescence from
interfering with the Raman analytical peaks of interest.
785 nm Laser Excitation Generates Significant
Fluorescent Interference for Cellulose Based Materials
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1030 nm laser excitation suppresses the
fluorescence, providing a clear signature for
compound ID
This 1030 nm Raman analyzer capability is
essential for analyzing varying grades of MCC’s
(Micro Crystalline Cellulose) which can be
modified to different degrees of crystallinity,
usually in the range of 40 ‐ 60%
SciAps, Inc.
Pharmaceutical Analysis Applications

6. Selecting the Optimum Handheld Raman Analyzer for
Cellulose Based Excipients
Handheld Raman analysis with 1030 nm laser excitation is the ideal selection for
in‐laboratory or out‐of‐lab validation of highly fluorescent cellulose based
excipients2. It facilitates optimum QC for all USP compounds, API’s and excipients
for incoming raw materials and those in process. It expedites verification of final
manufactured product and identification of counterfeit drugs.
Handheld Raman 1030 nm Laser Excitation Advantages
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Lightweight, ergonomic, and unencumbered by cooling
accessories
IP67 dustproof seal avoids cross contamination between
samples
IP67 waterproof seal enables washing with a bleach solution
between samples
Optimum excitation allows for high quality, valid data for
more materials
2 Although Raman analyzers with 1064 nm laser excitation are also successful at suppressing fluorescence, the InGaAs
detectors must be kept very
cool. Consequently, handheld Raman analyzers with 1064 nm excitation tend to be bulky and heavy due to the requirement of heavy batteries and
fans to cool the detector. And, units with fans to circulate air are not sealed; therefore, they are not dustproof or waterproof.
SciAps, Inc.
Pharmaceutical Analysis Applications

7. How Raman Analyzers Obtain a Spectrum
of the Molecular Fingerprint of a Sample
2. Incident electromagnetic
waves of the laser interact
with vibrational energy levels
of the sample’s molecules,
causing some of the scattered
light to shift in energy – the
Raman Shift.
3. The Raman Spectrum is
a graph of the intensity of
the Raman Shift versus its
frequency. These are
unique or characteristic
for specific compounds
and are stored in libraries.
Organic compounds in
powder, gel, solid or liquid
form, as well as some
minerals, are easily
measured with Raman.
Intensity
1. A source of
light (laser) at a
single wavelength
(785, 1030, 1064
nm) is focused on
a sample. The
sample scatters
the light.
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500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Wavenumber (cm‐1)
Laser
Grating
Lens
Lens
Raman
Shift
Laser Light
Long Pass Filter
CCD
Dichroic Plate
Sample
The spectrometer ‐ filter, grating & charge coupled device (CCD) detector ‐
measures the differences between the incoming laser light and scattered
light at various wavelengths to determine the Raman Shift.
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Molecular vibrations include the
stretching of covalent bonds, such
as C to C, O, N, H, Br or Cl.
Molecular Vibrations
Important Relationships: E = hν = hc/λ. E: energy; h: Planck’s constant; ν: frequency; c: speed of light; λ: wavelength.

8. Analytical Applications for Handheld Raman Analyzers
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Military & Public Law, Security & Safety Enforcement
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Identify narcotics, explosives, chemical agents, contraband
Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, Cosmeceuticals
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Identify raw materials and incipients
Verify purity & counterfeits
Food Products
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Determine concentrations such as phthalates
Material verification for surgical tools & implants
Research & Teaching Institutes
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Multipurpose Handhelds
Inspector 300 with 785 nm laser
Inspector 500 with 1030 nm laser
Specialty Plastics
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Verify raw materials
Plastics Recycling
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Single Purpose Handhelds
Reporter, Pharma ID
Test binary mixtures
Gem & Diamond Jewelers & Traders
SciAps, Inc.
Discoverer for Inspectors 300/500
Docking station test stand with
microscope and XYZ stage

9. Contact us to determine the optimum
handheld Raman analyzer for your materials.
www.sciaps.com
1‐339‐927‐9455
SciAps, Inc.