Helm Scientific



A Semiconductor Device and Chemical Analysis Laboratory



​Helm Scientific is committed to providing customers with high-quality, timely and professional services


E-mail: Device.lab@helmscientific.com

Please call by phone (714) 9646958 for credit card order and payment.


All spectral products sold by Helm Scientific are covered automatically by limited warrantee on condition that a purchased product is under correct operation, handling and maintenance and without any tampering or modification. The limited warrantee includes (1) two-year warrantee of CCD spectrometer by OEM, (2) one-year warrantee of the optical and mechanical parts of sample optical chamber and stage, and (3) one-year warrantee of unopened laser unit. Lifetime technical support via email is provided.



Laser Raman & Fluorescence Spectroscopy System (Model: LRF-SS)



Standard System Price: US $6,550
Availability: In stock, shipping within 5 business days after payment
Call to pay with credit cards. Accept electronic fund transfer (EFT), ACH or check.



LRF-SS Spectrometer Technical Specifications

Helm Scientific’s Raman spectroscopy system (Model: LRF-SS, see images) consists of a 532 nm/200 mW laser unit, a high-quality optical detection assembly on a XY linear stage, a compact fiber-based CCD spectrometer and an aluminum alloy stand. It measures laser-induced fluorescence and Raman spectra of liquid or solid samples under 532 nm laser excitation. In addition, it can test samples on glass slides for chemical, biological and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analyses. It is designed for laser Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic experimentation by scientists, engineers, educators and spectroscopy enthusiasts in industrial, academic and educational laboratories at an affordable price. "This would be an excellent tool for both teaching and research," a university Professor commented on the system and purchased one for his chemistry laboratory. Its main features are:

  • Both orthogonal and 45o angled configurations of a vertical, focusable laser beam with respect to Raman scattered or fluorescent light detection direction are adopted for the spectral measurements of liquids in vials (right image), solid strips/chunks/powders on glass slides (left image). The conversion between the two configurations can be easily carried out by loosing a knurled mounting nut and tilting the optical assembly.
  • Commercial surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates or slides can be used with the 45o angled configuration.
  • Laser beam directly enters liquid through a vial opening to eliminate potential stray laser light and vial glass fluorescent interference with weak Raman or fluorescence signal. Laser power is digitally adjustable in 1% increment between 0% and 100% of the maximum power with buttons in a LED digital controller.
  • The alignment of laser beam with respect to sample and the optical detection axis can be fine adjusted via a XY linear motion stage with a magnetic base for coarse positioning.
  • A commercial, compact CCD spectrometer (350 ~ 700 nm range, 0.5 nm FWHM spectral resolution) detects fluorescence or Raman light emission via an optical fiber coupled to the sample optical chamber’s standard SMA 905 connector. Its powerful software package enables background correction, integration time change, spectral acquisition, real-time averaging, spectrum smoothing and curve fitting etc.
  • Two Raman shift ranges are offered with different optical filters. Please select one when ordering:
    1. 600~4500 cm-1: Long-pass filter rejects 99.9976% laser at 532 nm (standard).
    2. 180~4500 cm-1: Long-pass filter rejects 99.9999% laser at 532 nm (+ extra charge).
    • Demonstrative video: https://youtu.be/o1zjWZmZ1Nc or click the image above.

Please email us (device.lab@helmscientific.com) for detail and quote.



Laser Raman & Fluorescence Compact Spectrometer (Model: LRF-CS)



Unit Price: US $5,599
Availability: In stock. Shipping within 5 business days after payment.
Call to pay with credit cards. Accept electronic fund transfer (EFT), ACH or check.




LRF-CS Spectrometer Technical Specifications

Helm Scientific’s Laser Raman & Fluorescence Compact Spectrometer (Model: LRF-CS, see image) is specifically designed and made for scientists, engineers, educators and spectroscopy enthusiasts in small budget labs, classrooms and fields where low-cost, low power consumption, compactness and portability are important. It integrates a commercial USB fiber-based CCD spectrometer with a 200 mW, 532 nm laser system, a YZ-linear alignment stage, and a high-quality signal detecting optical assembly. It measures laser-induced fluorescence and Raman spectra of liquid and solid samples under 532 nm laser excitation. Its main features are:

  • A horizontal focusable laser beam is orthogonal to a Raman and fluorescent light detection axis to suppress stray laser light interference with spectral measurement. The alignment of laser beam with respect to light detecting axis is adjustable via a YZ-linear motion stage.
  • Spectral samples can be liquids in standard vials (dia.<1/2", 2 ml), solid strips and solid chunks/powders in glass inserts, e.g. an "acetaminophen" vial on a red spectrometer in the image above.
  • Laser power is adjustable in 1% increment in the range of 0%~100% of the maximum power (~200 mW) with buttons in a LED digital controller. Laser beam enters the sample housing horizontally through an aperture to excite samples.
  • The optical detecting assembly utilizes high-quality optics from well-known vendors to collect, filter and focus Raman and fluorescent light with high efficiency to detect intrinsically weak Raman scattered light.
  • A commercial, compact CCD spectrometer (350 ~ 700 nm range, 0.5 nm FWHM spectral resolution) detects fluorescence or Raman light emission via an optical fiber coupled to the sample optical chamber’s standard SMA 905 connector. Its powerful software package enables background correction, integration time setting, spectral acquisition, real-time averaging, spectrum smoothing and curve fitting etc.
  • Two Raman shift ranges are offered with different optical filters. Please select one when ordering:
    1. 600~4500 cm-1: Long-pass filter rejects 99.9976% laser at 532 nm (standard),
    2. 180~4500 cm-1: Long-pass filter rejects 99.9999% laser at 532 nm (+ extra charge).
  • Dimensions: 9"(W) x 7"(D) x 6"(H). Laser electric source: 110VAC/12VDC adapter. Laser max. electric consumption: <3.6 Watts.
  • Availability: in stock now. (If out of stock, backorder lead time: 4~6 weeks.)
  • Demonstrative video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b8wTSkjo-c or click the above image.

Please email us (device.lab@helmscientific.com) for technical specification detail and quote.



Demo Raman Spectra Of Laser Raman & Fluorescence (LRF-SS/CS) Systems



Seven demonstrative Raman spectra of acetaminophen powders, H2 molecules dissolved in quartz, 91% isopropyl alcohol, baking soda (NaHCO3) powders, Teflon, HDPE and rutile TiO2 are illustrated below.



DEMO No. 1:

The LRF Systems are capable of measuring not only liquids in vials but also solid powders or chucks in vial inserts. Below is a measured Raman spectrum of acetaminophen, with a wide spectral range of 180 ~ 4500 wavenumbers.


Video: Subtract baseline & label spectral peaks using Helm Scientific's RamanPlot

DEMO No. 2:

The LRF systems are able to detect the trace amount of H2 molecules dissolved in SiO2 of a commercial quartz tube. The well-known Raman band of H2 stretching vibration is detected around 4178 cm-1 in the spectrum below. This is advantageous over IR or FTIR techniques because H2 molecules have no active infrared absorption due to zero dipole moment.



DEMO No. 3:

The LRF systems are optimized to detect intrinsically weak Raman scattered light by liquids as illustrated below for 91% isopropyl alcohol in a standard 2 mL glass vial. Raman spectral assignments of major peaks are also shown in the spectrum. Obviously, there is no background interference of stray laser light because of the orthogonal excitation versus detection directions.



DEMO No. 4:

The LRF systems can chemically identify inorganic salts such as baking soda (NaHCO3) powders. Although strong fluorescence band is present to compete with Raman emission, the broad fluorescence profile can subtracted during baseline correction. Three characteristic Raman peaks at 1269, 1043 and 683 cm-1 associated with HCO3- ions are readily identifiable in the spectrum below.



DEMO No. 5:

A Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene) plastic strip can be inserted directly into the LRF sample housing for spectral measurement. A Teflon Raman spectrum with background correction and spectral peak assignments are illustrated below with seven Raman peaks at 1388, 1309, 1223, 737, 579, 388 and 297 cm-1.



DEMO No. 6:

A HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic strip can be inserted directly into the LRF sample housing for spectral measurement. A HDPE Raman spectrum with background correction and spectral peak assignments are illustrated below with seven Raman peaks at 2897, 2864, 2734, 1445, 1299, 1133 and 1067 cm-1.



DEMO No. 7:

A 99.5% rutile TiO2 sample was analyzed, with its Raman spectrum shown in the image below. Three sharp Raman peaks at 239, 449 and 608 wavenumbers are characteristic of rutile TiO2. TiO2 powders were put inside a glass insert in a 2-mL standard glass vial which was inserted directly into the LRF-CS system's sample housing for spectral measurement.



Raman/Fluorescence Extender for Visible Spectrometer (Model: RFEx-01)



Unit Price: US $2,695 including free shipping
Availability: In stock. Shipping within 3 business days after payment.
Call to pay with credit cards. Accept electronic fund transfer (EFT), ACH or check.





Helm Scientific’s Raman/Fluorescence Extender (Model: RFEx-01, see image) is specifically offered to users who want to 1) buy their own spectrometers, or 2) already have fiber-based visible spectrometers and want to add additional experimental capabilities of Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy at a low cost. It integrates a 200 mW, 532 nm laser system and a high-quality signal detecting optical assembly into a compact and portable package that readily outputs Raman and fluorescent light, via a SMA 905 connector, into any fiber-based CCD/CMOS spectrometers. It measures laser-induced fluorescence and Raman spectra of liquid and solid samples under 532 nm laser excitation. It was used to acquire all seven demonstrative Raman spectra of acetaminophen powders, H2 molecules in quartz, 91% isopropyl alcohol, baking soda (NaHCO3) powders, HDPE and rutile TiO2 powders illustrated in the LRF-SS/CS system section above. Its main features are:

  • A horizontal focusable laser beam is orthogonal to a Raman and fluorescent light detection axis to suppress stray laser light interference with spectral measurement.
  • The alignment of laser beam with respect to light detecting axis is adjustable via a YZ-linear motion stage.
  • Spectral samples can be liquids in standard vials (dia.<1/2", 2 ml), solid strips and solid chunks/powders in glass inserts.
  • Laser beam enters the sample optical assembly through an aperture. Laser power is adjustable in 1% increment in the range of 0%~100% of the maximum power (~200 mW) with buttons in a LED digital controller.
  • The optical detecting assembly utilizes high-quality optics from well-known vendors to collect, filter and focus Raman and fluorescent light with high efficiency so that most low-cost spectrometers are sensitive enough to detect intrinsically weak Raman scattered light.
  • The sample optical assembly’s standard SMA 905 connector enables the coupling to a visible spectrometer (<0.5 nm FWHM spectral resolution, not included), via an optical fiber (orange color, not included), to detects fluorescence or Raman light emission.
  • Two Raman shift ranges are offered with different optical filters. Please select one when ordering:
    1. 600~4500 cm-1: Long-pass filter rejects 99.9976% laser at 532 nm (standard).
    2. 180~4500 cm-1: Long-pass filter rejects 99.9999% laser at 532 nm (+ extra charge).
  • Dimensions: 9"(W) x 7"(D) x 4"(H). Weight: 1.2 kg or 2.6 lbs.
  • Electrical source: 110VAC/12VDC adapter (black cable, included). Maximum electric power consumption: <3.6 Watts.
  • A 6-page "User's Guide" will be shipped together with the product
  • Availability: ONLY 1 unit in stock. Ship within 3 business days after receiving payment. Please order by phone/email with credit card or fund transfer.
  • Demonstrative video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b8wTSkjo-c or click the above image.

Please email us (device.lab@helmscientific.com) for detail and quote.



Laser Raman Spectroscopy Service





Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique to detect molecular vibrations and complementary to infrared absorption spectroscopy. Helm Scientific offers and Raman spectroscopic analytical services for liquid and solid samples. Raman spectrum is recorded with a CCD optical spectrometer and a 532 nm laser. Example Raman spectra are shown in this web page above. Like any infrared (IR, FTIR) absorption spectra, Raman spectra reveal and identify chemical bonds and functional groups in organic compounds. Laser excitation wavelength: 532 nmLaser power: up to 200 mWRaman shift range: 180~4500 cm-1 for liquids and solidsPrices: Standard rate: $90/sample (Using LRF-SS or LRF-CS Lead time: > 2 workdays after payment)Expedited rate: call or email (Lead time: within 2 workdays after payment)Express rate: call or email (Lead time: within 8 hours after payment)


Laser Fluorescence Spectroscopy Service





Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy is a sensitive technique to detect molecules via photo-absorption and subsequent spontaneous photo-emission by molecular electronic-vibrational (vibronic) states. Helm Scientific offers laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) analytical service of liquid and solid (e.g. gemstone) samples. LIF spectra can be recorded with a CCD optical spectrometer under 405 nm, 445 nm and 532 nm laser excitations. Comparative LIF emission spectra of Light and Extra Virgin olive oils under 445 nm laser excitation are shown below. The spectra show that Extra Virgin Olive Oil is much purer than Light Olive Oil.

  • Laser excitation wavelength: 405 nm, 445 nm and 532 nm selectable
  • Spectral range: 350~700 nm
  • Resolution: 10 pixels/nm
  • Price: $75 per sample per excitation wavelength (Lead time: >2 workdays after payment)
  • Expedited analysis available with extra charge


General Visible Spectroscopy Service





Analytical services are provided to measure

  1. Absorption spectra of liquids and thin films ($60/sample)
  2. Emission spectra of all light sources ($50/sample)
    • Spectral range: 350~700 nm
    • Spectral resolution: 0.5 nm FWHM
    • Detector resolution: 10 pixels/nm
    • Lead time: >2 workdays after payment
    • Expedited analysis available with extra charge


Helm Scientific
Laboratory: 1680 Toronto Way, Costa Mesa, California 91626, U. S. A
Headquarter: Fountain Valley, CA 92708, U. S. A.
E-mail: Device.Lab@HelmScientific.com
Phone: (714) 9646958