Kyoto, Japan 1/4/18—Scientific instrument provider HORIBA Scientific has acquired AIST-NT’s SPM technology for an undisclosed amount. HORIBA will integrate its NanoRaman spectroscopy technology with California-based AIST-NT’s SPM systems for AFM-Raman systems with Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) for chemical and material identification applications. “The integration of the AIST-NT portfolio of proprietary solutions extends HORIBA’s market leadership in NanoRaman and Nanospectroscopy,” stated James Thepot, corporate officer and president of HORIBA FRANCE. “It also provides HORIBA Scientific immediate entry into the AFM segment with a highly competitive and differentiated AFM/Raman spectroscopy offering.” Marc Chaigneau, product manager at HORIBA Scientific, commented, “For the first time, this integration in new hybrid solutions that marries AIST-NT’s SPM to HORIBA’s Raman solutions will provide a complete NanoRaman solution for our customers. These now range from the detector to the gratings, from the spectrometer to the AFM, fully manufactured by a single instrumentation company.”

The companies have previously worked together, combining their respective spectroscopy and AFM technologies, including in the integrated NanoRaman system. HORIBA Scientific also distributed AIST-NT’s systems. An AFM-Raman technique, TERS provides nanoscale resolution for chemical and structural analysis in combination with surface mapping. Other companies offering TERS solutions include Bruker, NT-MDT and Nanonics Imaging.