Renishaw's WiRE (Windows-based Raman Environment) software is designed for use with Raman systems.
Renishaw's software experts along with application specialists and users have been involved in the creation of this powerful, flexible Raman spectroscopy software suite.
The software manages Raman data acquisition and provides users with exclusive data processing and analysis options.
For instance WiRE can be utilized to recognize an unknown spectrum, eliminate its background, or determine particle distribution in megapixel-sized Raman images.
WiRE controls the Raman system, analyses the Raman data, and can be expanded as per the customer’s requirements. WiRE 5.2, the latest version, offers additional features to significantly improve the capabilities of the software. The focus is on rapid generation of confocal chemical images.
Insights into the Product
Tim Smith, Applications Manager at Renishaw, speaks to AZoM about how WiRE software helps with Raman analysis:
What can WiRE software be used for?
TS: WiRE software accompanies Renishaw’s Raman spectroscopy products. It provides system control, data collection, data processing, data analysis and reporting all in a single Raman-dedicated package.
How will WiRE software help users to achieve their aims and objectives?
TS: Software functionality is targeted solely to Raman analysis. This provides well balanced software for all users and contains great power hidden beneath a simple interface. WiRE uses a flexible approach and focuses on the conversion of spectral data to valuable chemical and property information.
Optional modules such as Empty Modelling™ enable complex spectral data to be converted to practical chemical information. This simplifies interpretation and answers real questions routinely posed by users.
What do you feel are the main benefits and advantages of WiRE software compared to other available alternatives?
TS: WiRE is designed and developed specifically for Renishaw Raman systems and thereby enables advanced and unique system functions such as wide range, high resolution, seamless spectral scanning (SynchroScan™), and low laser power density chemical imaging (StreamLine™).
The interface is highly configurable and supports hardware and system upgrades to add new functionality. The overall system can be updated to suit the user’s requirements, without them having to purchase something entirely new.
High-Definition Confocal Raman images
With WiRE 5.2, massive Raman data files can be collected and analyzed, and high definition chemical images of areas and volumes can be produced. A new file format (WDF) has been developed by Renishaw, and the optimised WiRE software is capable of dealing with huge Raman datasets of over 50 million spectra. Using this, large mapping files can be collected and analyzed to create megapixel-sized images.
Samples tend to be inhomogeneous with many different particle sizes and distributions. Using WiRE and WDF, it is possible to see small details, even over extensive areas. The data collected is comparatively precise and more representative than smaller file sizes, where either the step size has to be larger (missing detail), or the analysis area is reduced (becoming less representative).
Fast and Efficient
- Data can be viewed in all its detail. It can export native high definition (megapixel) Raman images.
- The WDF file format has no inbuilt file size limit, thereby allowing customers to even record tens of millions of spectra in a single file.
- Customers can import existing WXD files and save them in the new WDF format.
- Additionally, there is also an M-file which allows import of WDF files from Matlab if required.
WiRE 4 Software for Raman Spectroscopy from Renishaw
Raman image of a volcanic rock section from Mount St Helens (3.8 mm x 2.7 mm, at 1.9 pm resolution, comprising 2.9 million spectra). Rock section courtesy of Dr Claire Horwell and David Damby, University of Durham.
Raman image of SiC-4H epilayer highlighting areas of non-uniformity. Red regions represent inclusions of SiC-6H, SiC-3C or Si. Black regions are voids. This technique also allows the strain in the layer to be visualised qualitatively (green and blue).
8 million spectra, 900 pm x 800 pm (0.3 pm step size), (5 ms / spectrum)
StreamLineHR Rapide image of single-layer graphene (red) and multi-layered graphene (green) on a Si/SiO2 substrate.
The data, comprising 52,136 spectra, were collected at a rate of 700 spectra / s.
Using the volume viewer to visualise stress fields through different image planes within ruby (by analysing the ruby photoluminescence bands).
inVia adjusts your sample position to ensure the same point is in focus and centered when you change objectives.
Using Surface to analyse the curved surface of a TiN (green) coated screwdriver bit. The uniformity of the coating is revealed.
Faster Data Collection
WiRE 5.2 provides support for Renishaw’s StreamLineHR™ Rapide high resolution Raman imaging. It is possible to collect spectra at an extremely fast rate (over 1000 spectra per second). This feature along with large file handling allows customers to obtain highly detailed Raman images faster then ever before.
By minimizing the time taken for data readout and sample stage movement, Renishaw has maximized the proportion of each collection cycle spent gathering the Raman signal. This optimises signal-to-noise levels, thereby enabling acquisition of high quality data as fast as possible.
WiRE 5.2 and StreamLineHR Rapide provide an electron multiplication option. Total control over the em gain is available, so that the customer can select the ideal setting for their sample.
Volume Viewer Enhancements
The volume viewer has been improved to provide better control over the appearance of 3D Raman images. It is possible to:
- Generate the volume view live during data acquisition
- Control the opacity of individual volume images
- Analyze subsets of the original volume
- Superimpose a volume image on the 2D white light image
- Export image slice planes from the volume as data files
Data can be viewed more easily, experiments can be monitored more effectively, and results can be presented clearly.
Analysing Curved Surfaces
Renishaw's surface capability enables the collection of Raman data from sample surfaces even if they are sloping or irregular. When the sample is moved and data is obtained, inVia maintains the sample surface in constant focus.
This focus correction can be applied when viewing the sample from a white light montage. This saves the need to constantly apply manual adjustments to the focus as the sample is moved. Laser focus is essential during Raman analysis, without which spatial resolution and throughput will rapidly degrade. Surface ensures laser focus is maintained.
The customer can define the sample surface form before Raman data collection. The customer can decide the ideal focus position for a range of points on the sample. These form a computer model of the surface, thereby allowing the interpolation of intermediate focus points. Only three points need to be defined for a sloping surface. In case the topography is more complex, there is freedom to include more points to better describe the surface form.
Automatic Intelligent Background Removal
Removal of simple or complex backgrounds from spectral data can be performed much more easily now with just a button click. Renishaw's proprietary Intelligent Fitting is one of four different options provided in Renishaw's WiRE software to eliminate any redundant fluorescence background. It is fully automated, and eliminates backgrounds repeatably and consistently.
The Intelligent Fitting on a single spectrum or multi-spectra datasets, including time series, temperature series and maps, can be freely used, thereby saving time taken for manually and subjectively eliminating backgrounds.
Raman chemical imaging with the Renishaw inVia Raman microscope
Renishaw’s Intelligent Fitting is designed mainly for eliminating fluorescent backgrounds from Raman spectra. The outcome is a flat spectrum with just the Raman data regardless of how complex the background shape.
This automated background removal makes database identification easier, spectra for reports and papers clearer, removal between similar spectra more consistent, and analysis of data from fluorescent samples simpler.
Cosmic Ray Removal
If the Raman measurements are performed for long duration, there is a chance of seeing some sharp spikes in the spectra which are not connected to the sample. These are produced by cosmic rays hitting the detector and generating false features, which are usually narrower than Raman bands.
The new Cosmic Ray Remover (CRR) options found in Renishaw's WiRE software can be used for quickly and easily removing these features from the spectra, thus making the data processing, analysis, and interpretation easier.
It helps to maintain the spectral band shape. When analyzing data using unsupervised chemometric techniques, such as principle component analysis (PCA), the customer can be confident that he/she is only analyzing sample-related data (Raman/photoluminescence). The resultant images will be artefact free and therefore more representative and appealing.