Raman Spectroscopy + AFM:

Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical method that uses a laser to illuminate a material and analyze the light that is scattered back, providing a "chemical fingerprint" of the substance's molecular structure, composition, crystallinity, and stress. This technique reveals information about a sample's chemical and structural species by measuring Raman scattering, an inelastic scattering of light that occurs when photons lose or gain energy from vibrating molecules within the material. The resulting spectrum, with its unique peaks and intensities, can be used for material identification, quantification, and analysis in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and materials science. 

An Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is a high-resolution scanning probe microscope that generates a 3D topographic map of a surface by "feeling" it with a sharp tip on a flexible cantilever. As the tip scans across the sample, a laser detects the cantilever's deflection caused by tip-sample interactions, and this movement is translated by a computer into a detailed surface image. AFMs can visualize nanoscale structures and measure material properties like elasticity, making them useful for materials science, biology, and other fields. 

The Raman Spectroscopy can work together with the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) to obtain based on  Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) effect images 

Raman + AFM joint setup HORIBA LABRAM Evolution:

The HORIBA LABRAM HR Evolution is a versatile, high-resolution Raman microscope system used for non-destructive chemical and structural analysis of materials at the micro- and nanoscale. It integrates a high-performance confocal Raman spectrometer with a sophisticated optical microscope, allowing for 2D and 3D confocal imaging and detailed spectral analysis. Key features include a variety of laser sources (UV to NIR), diffraction gratings for spectral resolution, a motorized XYZ stage for accurate sample positioning, and user-friendly software (LabSpec 6) for automated data acquisition and analysis.

• Raman Spectroscopy:

This technique provides high spatial and spectral resolution, enabling detailed analysis of molecular vibrations to determine chemical composition and structure. 

• Microscopy:

The system integrates a high-quality microscope, allowing users to visualize samples and acquire Raman data co-localized with optical imaging, supporting both micro- and macro-measurements. 

• Versatile Excitation:

It supports a range of excitation wavelengths: 532 nm, 633 nm, 785 nm lasers, offering flexibility for different sample types and analyses. 

• Automated Mapping:

The motorized XYZ stage and automated routines facilitate rapid and detailed mapping of surface features and chemical composition. 

• Hybrid Techniques:

The LabRAM HR Evolution is compatible with other techniques, enabling simultaneous or co-localized Raman measurements with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for combined physical and chemical imaging. 

AFM - NT-MDT:

An AFM generates images by scanning a small cantilever over the surface of a sample. The sharp tip on the end of the cantilever contacts the surface, bending the cantilever and changing the amount of laser light reflected into the photodiode. The height of the cantilever is then adjusted to restore the response signal, resulting in the measured cantilever height tracing the surface.