Abstract: A Raman analysing apparatus comprises an imaging optical system for imaging an object along an optical path to an optical detector, an irradiation optical system for illuminating the object, and a scanning device comprising a spinning pinhole disk. The irradiation optical system directs light onto the scanning device to illuminate the object at a plurality of illumination points. The imaging optical system images Raman scattered light emitted from the object at the illumination points to an intermediate image plane at which the scanning device is located. The imaging optical system may include a spectral filter and/or at least one optical spectral analyser. The apparatus enables high speed confocal Raman imaging and/or high speed confocal Raman spectography to be performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectrometer, comprising: an inlet for the receipt of incident light; an optical path for transmitting the incident light from the inlet to an analysis plane; a focusing element located along the optical path, wherein the spectrometer has an in-focus position in which a focal point of the spectrometer and the analysis plane coincide; and a controller adapted in use, when a removable light disperser is placed along the optical path, to cause the spectrometer to be in the in-focus position by controlling the position of the focusing element relative to the analysis plane. The spectrometer is used in the analysis of light from a light source and, due to the ability of the controller to manage the focus point by way of moving the focusing element, the spectrometer is able to bring itself into an in-focus configuration without the need for a user to intervene.