About Spero® Quantum Cascade Laser-Based IR Microscopy
Quantum cascade laser (QCL) infrared microspectroscopy enables rapid microplastic polymer identification through direct spectral imaging of particles. Daylight Solutions manufactures the Spero® system, which combines tunable mid-infrared laser technology with microscopy optics to acquire spatially resolved chemical maps of microplastic samples. The instrument addresses a critical bottleneck in microplastics research: the speed and accuracy of polymer type classification across diverse environmental matrices including soil, sediment, water, and biological tissue.
The Spero® system uses quantum cascade laser light (wavelength range 6–12 μm) to probe vibrational spectroscopy signatures of polymers without contact preparation or destructive sample analysis. Chemical mapping identifies polymer functional groups across single particles and particle populations simultaneously. Furthermore, integrated image recognition software correlates spectral data with particle morphology, enabling automated high-throughput classification of microplastics by polymer type (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, PVC, and others) and particle size.
Key Features of Spero® QCL-IR Microscopy
- Also offers tunable quantum cascade laser wavelength selection for targeted polymer identification without fixed filter limitations
- Furthermore, the system performs non-destructive spectral imaging, preserving particle morphology for simultaneous size, shape, and composition analysis
- In addition, integrated image recognition algorithms automate particle detection and classify microplastics by polymer type without manual spectral interpretation
- Additionally, the instrument operates across environmental matrices—soil, sediment, water concentrates, and tissue samples—without matrix-specific calibration
- The system reduces analysis time compared to traditional FTIR or Raman methods by acquiring chemical maps in seconds per sample field
Access and Data Availability
The Spero® system is a commercial analytical instrument sold and serviced by Daylight Solutions. Access is available through institutional purchase, rental, or contract analysis services. The instrument operates under a commercial license model; software and spectral data outputs are proprietary to the system operator. Researchers seeking QCL-IR microspectroscopy capabilities should contact Daylight Solutions directly for pricing, availability, and application consultation specific to their environmental compartment and polymer classification objectives.
Data generated by the Spero® system are not automatically deposited in open-access repositories. Individual research groups retain data management responsibility. However, spectral outputs may be exported for integration with open-source spectral libraries (e.g., OpenSpecy) or peer-reviewed publication workflows.
Validation and Scientific Context
QCL-based infrared microspectroscopy is an ISO 23977-recognized technique for microplastic identification in environmental samples. The Spero® platform has been applied in published microplastics research spanning sediment characterization, drinking water analysis, and human tissue assessment. Researchers should validate polymer classification accuracy against reference standards and compare results with complementary techniques (pyrolysis-GC/MS, Raman spectroscopy) within their specific analytical workflow.
This tool is part of the Plastiverse.org ecosystem, contributing to the collective knowledge and resources available for microplastics research.