StellarNet and Evident Collaborate to Deliver Integrated Microscopy and Spectroscopy Solutions
Delivering Modular Spectroscopy and Microscopy Systems
Researchers and manufacturers increasingly require more than high-resolution images to fully understand the materials they study. While microscopy reveals structure and surface detail, spectroscopy provides quantitative information about chemical composition, optical properties, film thickness, fluorescence, Raman signatures, and color. Through an ongoing collaboration, StellarNet and Evident (formerly Olympus) are combining these complementary technologies into flexible analytical solutions for research, quality control, and advanced manufacturing.
By integrating Evident’s industry-leading BX and CX upright microscope platforms with StellarNet’s Raman, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, thin-film metrology, fluorescence spectroscopy, color measurement, particle analysis, and automated mapping solutions, laboratories can examine microscopic features while collecting precise optical and chemical measurements from the same region of interest.
Expanding the Capabilities of Microscopy
The collaboration supports a broad range of microscopy-based analytical techniques, including:
- Raman spectroscopy and chemical identification
- Fluorescence spectroscopy
- Thin-film thickness measurement
- Reflectance spectroscopy
- Transmission spectroscopy
- Micro-scale color measurement
- Particle characterization
- Surface quality verification
- Automated spectral mapping
Together, these capabilities provide researchers with a more complete understanding of their samples by combining high-resolution imaging with quantitative optical analysis.
Raman Spectroscopy for Chemical Identification
Microscopy reveals what a feature looks like. Raman spectroscopy helps identify what it is.
By integrating StellarNet Raman spectrometers with Evident microscope platforms, researchers can perform non-destructive chemical analysis of microscopic materials and contaminants without extensive sample preparation.
Typical applications include:
- Semiconductor materials
- Pharmaceuticals
- Polymers
- Carbon materials
- Minerals
- Unknown particle identification
- Failure analysis
- Academic research
Fluorescence Spectroscopy Beyond Imaging
- Life sciences
- Biomedical research
- Materials science
- Chemical analysis
- Nanotechnology
- Environmental research
Thin-Film Metrology with Microscope Precision
StellarNet’s Thin-Film Metrology Systems integrate with Evident’s microscopes to measure transparent and semi-transparent coatings on localized features with exceptional precision. Applications include semiconductor wafers, optical coatings, photonic devices, displays, solar cells, and advanced materials research.
For larger samples, the platform can be expanded with automated XY mapping systems to characterize hundreds or even thousands of measurement locations with exceptional repeatability.
Complementary Software and Hardware Workflows
Evident’s microscopy software provides powerful image acquisition and analysis, while StellarPro® complements these capabilities by managing spectroscopy, Raman analysis, fluorescence measurements, thin-film metrology, automated spectral mapping, and advanced optical characterization. In addition, Evident’s microscope platforms are extremely modular devices with a variety of configuration capabilities. By simply swapping a few optical components, one can achieve truly unique and powerful detection and imaging capabilities to fit a variety of physical or application-specific requirements.
StellarPro® can also associate microscope images with spectral measurements, allowing researchers to document measurement locations, correlate images with spectra, and generate comprehensive reports from a streamlined analytical workflow.
Imaging, Particle Analysis, and Optical Characterization
StellarNet’s new Particle Analysis capabilities extend traditional microscope inspection by combining image-based particle measurements with optical spectroscopy.
Researchers can automatically evaluate particle size, count, shape, and distribution while collecting Raman, fluorescence, reflectance, transmission, color, or thin-film measurements from the same region of interest. By utilizing Evident’s over 200+ standard microscope objectives, the range of samples, techniques, and analytical insights is almost limitless. With magnifications ranging from 1.25x – 150x, numerical apertures spanning 0.04 – 1.7, working distances stretching 0.08 – 30mm, and 6 immersion mediums for 12 microscopy techniques, any spectroscopy application and requirement is possible when combining Evident’s optics with StellarNet’s technology and experience.
This integrated workflow allows laboratories to characterize not only the physical appearance of particles, defects, and contaminants, but also their optical and chemical properties.
Flexible Solutions for Research and Industry
Because StellarNet’s spectroscopy systems are modular, laboratories can expand their capabilities over time by adding Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, thin-film metrology, automated mapping, particle analysis, and additional optical measurement techniques without replacing their existing microscope platform.
This flexible approach supports applications in semiconductor manufacturing, photonics, life sciences, materials science, optical coatings, electronics, industrial quality assurance, and university research.
Driving Optical Innovation Together
StellarNet and Evident share a commitment to helping researchers gain deeper insight into their materials through advanced optical technologies. By combining precision microscopy with Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, thin-film metrology, particle analysis, automated mapping, and optical characterization, the collaboration provides laboratories with flexible, scalable solutions for today’s most demanding analytical applications.
Learn More
To learn more about the technologies featured in this collaboration, visit:
- StellarNet Thin-Film Metrology Systems: https://www.stellarnet.com/systems/thin-film-metrology/
- StellarNet Raman Spectrometers: https://www.stellarnet.com/spectrometers/raman-spectrometers/
- StellarNet Spectrometers: https://www.stellarnet.com/spectrometers/
- Evident Microscopy Solutions: https://www.evidentscientific.com
About StellarNet
StellarNet designs and manufactures miniature fiber optic spectrometers, Raman systems, thin-film metrology solutions, color measurement systems, radiometers, and optical spectroscopy software for scientific, industrial, research, and OEM applications. StellarPro® software supports spectroscopy, thin-film analysis, Raman and fluorescence measurements, automated mapping, particle analysis, and integrated analytical workflows.
About Evident
Evident’s life science portfolio supports research, clinical diagnostics, and education, offering a comprehensive range of imaging methods, from essential brightfield and darkfield microscopy to advanced fluorescence, 4D analysis, and digital pathology. In industrial microscopy, Evident delivers precision and flexibility through laser scanning, digital, and semiconductor microscopes designed for tasks ranging from routine inspection to intricate quality control and sophisticated manufacturing analysis. Evident is headquartered in Tokyo and supported by R&D and manufacturing centers in Japan, the United States, Germany, and China, with operations and dedicated sales and service centers located around the world. Evident is paving a new path forward in microscopy by helping customers advance into a new era of discovery and pushing the boundaries of optical technology to fuel discovery and bring the unseen into focus.