Analyzing chemical threats without direct contact
30th July 2025
At a glance
> Rigaku's new Raman spectrometer – the Icon-X – can remotely identify chemicals, allowing users to work safely at a distance.
> It can be deployed by frontline services to quickly determine threats posed by substances released deliberately or accidently including explosives, chemical warfare agents, and industrial materials.
> The Icon-X is tough, meeting internationally recognised standards that means it can to be used in challenging or harsh environments as well as underwater.
Safeguarding users at a distance
The Icon-X by Rigaku is a new handheld Raman analyzer that can quickly and accurately identify hazardous chemicals from a distance. It is a Raman spectrometer to provide remote analysis. This means potential threats can be analyzed without coming into direct contact with unknown substances, safeguarding users from potentially dangerous or explosive powders.
Whether deployed to assess IEDs, chemical warfare agents, or unknown industrial chemicals, the Icon-X provides users with actionable intelligence. This powerful new instrument is ideal for:
- Armed Forces
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams
- Police Forces
- Fire & Rescue Services
- Border Force
Enhanced usability and field durability
The Rigaku Icon-X has been designed for potentially dangerous or difficult situations and is built to withstand challenging environments.
- Built-in reference library of 13,000+ materials covering a broad spectrum of substances.
- No user calibration required.
- With an IP68 Rating, it is protected against dust ingress and prolonged water immersion, meaning it can also be thoroughly decontaminated.
- Built to MIL-STD-810H Standards, it has been tested to a range of environmental factors including extreme temperatures, thermal shock, high humidity, and shock and vibrations.
- A large touchscreen and illuminated keypad for ease of use in dark or stressful environments
Proven Raman technology with expanded capabilities
Continuing Rigaku’s legacy of Raman innovation, the Icon-X uses a 1064 nm laser excitation to minimize fluorescence interference, which is a common limitation of older Raman systems when scanning colored samples or samples in bright ambient light environments. Users can rely on the Icon-X to deliver accurate results with every scan, regardless of sample type in up to 60 seconds.
The Rigaku Icon-X is now available through Southern Scientific. With its combination of advanced Raman spectroscopy, rugged design, and easy operation, it provides the UK’s frontline services with new capabilities.
Find out more
To learn more about the Rigaku Icon-X, you can click the button below to speak to a product specialist directly.