Assembly - Modular Confocal Raman Microscope

Here we present step-by-step instructions for the construction of your very own modular Raman microscope.

Assembly top tips:
  • Refer to the video for the general assembly instructions
  • Refer to the CAD file available in the components list page to find the precise locations of each parts and vice versa

Safety:
  • High powered laser systems must be used in accordance with local National and Institutional regulations
  • System should be located appropriately (typically enclosed and interlocked) and users trained sufficiently to allow safe construction and operation
  • High powered laser may (especially when focussed by the objective) burn/evaporate objects in its path, ensure proper risk assessment prior usage to avoid safety risk and instrument damage
Brightfield microscope body assembly
  1. Install the four spacer rods on the side of the Thorlabs Cerna® body
  2. Install the XY translator on the four spacer rods (note that the holes on the XY translator requires an adapter to attach to the rods)
  3. Install the camera onto the XY translator using the adaptor
  4. Install the lamp on the back of the microscope using the adaptor
  5. Install the adaptor for the laser/collection optical parts
Laser port and beam expander assembly
  1. Install the FC/APC adaptor in the kinematic pitch/yaw holder
  2. Install the holder in the XY translator
  3. Install the lenses in the slotted tube
  4. Install the tube to the backside of the XY translator
  5. Install the cage rods adaptor to the XY translator
  6. Adjust the lenses positioning to ensure proper laser collimation over at least 4 m (optical path length of the laser to the collection port)
Filter cube assembly
  1. Install the dichroic mirror
  2. Install the filter holder/adaptor
  3. Install the filters accordingly:
  • Laser clean-up filter facing the laser side
  • Longpass filter facing the collection side
  • The remaining unused (open) side hole can be closed with a cap or a tape to prevent dust from entering.
Filter cube assembly - cage rods
Install the cage rods following the video
Collection port holder assembly
  1. Install the cage rod adaptor and the dust cover tubes onto the backside of the XY translator

  2. Attach the cage plate adaptor to the 
Note:
  • Be mindful of the XY translator front and backside, they are NOT interchangeable!
  • The side with the thin plate is the backside (see the video)
Fiber collimator assembly
  1. Install the fiber collimator into the pitch/yaw holder
  2. Install the case/adaptors
Lens tube holder assembly
  1. Install the lens tube onto the magnetic holder (removable part)
  2. The stationary part of the magnetic holder will be installed onto the cage directly at a later stage
Main cage assembly
  1. Install the cage plate adaptors and magnetic holder (stationary part) following the vide
  2. Install the filter cube
  3. Install the laser port and beam expander
  4. Install the magnetic holder for the tube lens
  5. Install the collection port
Note:
  • Each plates are fixable to the cage rods using the screw on the sides
  • The video also shows the recommended quick switch between the high-throughput and confocal configurations
Objective assembly
Mount the objectives onto the holder as follows (or even better, mount it later after the holder is installed on the stand, and when the microscope is ready to use as the objectives are fragile and expensive)
Z-stage and objective holder assembly
  1. Install the objective holder plate adaptor onto the PLSZ
  2. Install the objective holder plate onto the adaptor
  3. Install the other adaptors onto the objective holder plate
  4. Install the cage plate adaptors for the bellow mount on the stand
  5. Install the PLSZ on the stand
  6. Install the bellows
XY-stage assembly
Final assembly
Make sure that every component (including stages) are fixed firmly onto each other and the optical table!
And congratulations! You have built your very own Raman microscope.