Rigaku Launches Fourth-Generation Handheld 1064 nm Raman Analyzer with Advanced Chemical Threat Detection Capabilities at IAFC HAZMAT 2025
Rigaku Analytical Devices, a global leader in innovative scientific instrumentation and a division of Rigaku Holdings Corporation (headquartered in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Jun Kawakami), has officially unveiled the fourth generation of its groundbreaking handheld 1064 nm Raman analyzers. The new product line, branded the Icon series, marks a significant evolution in chemical threat analysis technology, specifically tailored for safety, defense, and emergency response missions. The first product in the lineup, the Icon-X, is being showcased at the International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference (HAZMAT 2025), hosted by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), taking place from June 13–14 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Starting on June 13, global commercial rollout of the Icon-X will begin, marking a new chapter in the rapid identification of chemical threats in high-risk environments. The launch is expected to significantly improve the operational capabilities of personnel in sectors such as emergency response, military EOD units, border security, hazmat teams, and law enforcement agencies.
A New Benchmark in Raman Spectroscopy
The Icon-X is the world’s first handheld 1064 nm Raman analyzer that introduces true standoff chemical analysis, allowing users to detect and identify potentially hazardous substances from a safe distance. This revolutionary capability dramatically enhances the safety of operators who may encounter explosive materials, toxic chemicals, narcotics, or other unknown substances during the course of their duties. Traditional handheld Raman devices typically require close contact with the sample, posing inherent risks during sample acquisition. The standoff functionality in the Icon-X addresses this challenge directly, providing the option to evaluate threats without disturbing the scene or endangering personnel.
In high-risk scenarios such as bomb disposal or clandestine drug lab interdiction, the ability to analyze substances without direct contact can be the difference between a safe resolution and a dangerous escalation. Whether dealing with homemade explosives (HMEs), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), or toxic industrial chemicals, the Icon-X empowers operators with actionable intelligence in real time—without requiring physical contact with the threat.
Comprehensive Library and Unmatched Identification Capabilities
At the heart of the Icon-X lies a powerful and extensive on-board spectral library, which includes thousands of reference signatures for chemical warfare agents (CWAs), commercial and military explosives, narcotics, cutting agents, toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), precursors, and other hazardous substances. This robust database allows the device to quickly and accurately identify materials on the spot, streamlining decision-making during critical missions.
Unlike older Raman systems that struggle with mixtures, impurities, or fluorescence interference, the Icon-X benefits from its 1064 nm laser, which significantly reduces fluorescence effects and enables analysis through translucent containers and plastic packaging. This gives first responders and hazardous materials professionals the ability to perform scans without needing to open containers, touch the substance, or compromise scene integrity—all while obtaining precise results in seconds.
Ergonomic Redesign and Enhanced Usability
Building upon the success of Rigaku’s previous Raman platforms, the Icon-X features a completely redesigned ergonomic form factor, offering better balance, grip, and field usability, even in full protective gear. The updated hardware platform includes numerous improvements for both daily use and mission-critical performance, such as:
- High-performance processing engine for faster response times and smoother user interactions.
- Larger, brighter, and more responsive touchscreen display, providing better visibility and usability in both bright sunlight and low-light environments.
- Backlit, glove-compatible keypad, which improves operability in dark or hazardous locations.
- Upgraded 13-megapixel camera with integrated LED flash, allowing users to capture high-resolution images of the scene or target materials.
- Optional GPS capability, enabling users to geotag scan locations, an essential feature for site documentation, evidence gathering, fleet management, and sensitive site exploitation (SSE).
- Ball probe attachment, designed for scanning substances located in deep or narrow containers, adding new flexibility to field deployments.
These improvements are not only cosmetic—they represent a deep understanding of the needs of front-line users. Rigaku worked closely with stakeholders, including military personnel, hazmat operators, and scientific experts, to refine the usability and performance of the Icon-X for real-world challenges.
Engineered for the Toughest Environments
Field instruments must be rugged, and the Icon-X is no exception. The device is built to meet the MIL-STD-810H standard, having passed rigorous tests for shock, vibration, pressure, humidity, and extreme temperature variations. In addition, it boasts IP68 certification, which means it is completely dustproof and can be submerged in water for extended periods without damage. This level of durability ensures the Icon-X remains reliable even in the harshest operational environments, from deserts and industrial zones to rain-soaked disaster sites.
The device’s sealed design also makes it ideal for decontamination procedures, allowing users to safely clean the analyzer after exposure to hazardous substances without compromising functionality.
Responding to Evolving Global Threats
Today’s global security landscape is becoming increasingly complex. From the proliferation of synthetic opioids to the rise of DIY explosive formulas disseminated online, the threats facing law enforcement and public safety personnel are evolving rapidly. The accessibility of dangerous chemicals and the emergence of hybrid threats—such as chemical-narcotics mixtures—demand sophisticated detection tools that are both agile and accurate.
Rigaku’s Icon series directly addresses this need by giving users the ability to quickly identify and classify a wide range of unknown substances, while remaining protected from direct exposure. The Icon-X ensures that responders can act swiftly, gather necessary intelligence on-site, and collaborate with downstream teams without losing valuable time.
“Technology is evolving just as fast as the threats are,” said Dr. Michael Hargreaves, Vice President of Science & Technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices. “While developing the Icon Series, we took into account feedback from our extensive base of global users. These insights helped us elevate a field-proven technology to the next level, expanding what’s possible with handheld Raman spectroscopy. The result is a tool that’s not only more powerful but also more intuitive, adaptable, and mission-ready.”
Expanding a Proven Legacy
Rigaku has long been recognized as a leader in handheld Raman spectroscopy. Their portfolio of 1064 nm Raman analyzers has set industry standards in terms of performance, reliability, and versatility. The Icon series represents a continuation—and a bold advancement—of that legacy.
Each successive generation of Rigaku’s Raman analyzers has introduced new features that respond to real-world challenges faced by their diverse user base. The Icon-X, with its expanded library, cutting-edge optics, standoff capabilities, and ruggedized design, reaffirms Rigaku’s commitment to innovation and public safety.
The Icon series is expected to expand beyond the Icon-X, offering specialized models and optional modules tailored to the specific demands of users across different operational sectors. From forensic investigations to international customs inspections, the flexibility of the platform will continue to grow, with support from Rigaku’s global network of training, service, and technical experts.
Live Demonstration at IAFC HAZMAT 2025
Attendees at the IAFC HAZMAT 2025 conference will be among the first to experience the capabilities of the Icon-X in person. Rigaku’s experts will be conducting live demonstrations at booth #314, providing hands-on opportunities for emergency responders, hazmat professionals, and security personnel to see how the device functions in a simulated field environment.
The conference, which gathers the world’s leading hazardous materials response professionals, offers a fitting platform for the debut of the Icon-X. Its theme of innovation and safety underscores the importance of tools like the Icon series in protecting lives, infrastructure, and national security interests.
Availability and Global Rollout
Following its official unveiling at HAZMAT 2025, the Rigaku Icon-X will be made available for international orders through Rigaku’s authorized distributor network and direct sales channels. Full technical specifications, support documentation, and training programs will also be released to facilitate deployment across military, civilian, and industrial applications.
Rigaku’s continued investment in research and user-driven development ensures that its solutions remain ahead of emerging threats, empowering front-line professionals with the technology they need to work smarter and safer.
