A portable shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy system: device and field demonstration

In this paper, we present a portable shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS) system applied in outdoor experiments. A dual‐wavelength diode laser emitting at 785 nm is used as excitation light source. The diode laser provides two individually controllable excitation lines at 785 nm with a spectral distance of about 10 cm⁻¹ for SERDS. This monolithic light source is implemented into a compact handheld Raman probe. Both components were developed and fabricated in‐house. SERDS measurements are performed in an apple orchard, and apples and green apple leafs are used as test samples. For each excitation wavelength, a single Raman spectrum is measured with 50 mW at the sample. Strong background interference from ambient daylight and laser‐induced fluorescence obscure the Raman signals. SERDS efficiently separates the wanted Raman signals from the disturbing background signals. For the Raman spectroscopic investigations of green leafs, one accumulation with an exposure time of 0.2 s was used for each excitation wavelength to avoid detector saturation. An 11‐fold improvement of the signal‐to‐background noise is achieved using SERDS. The results demonstrate the suitability of the portable SERDS system for rapid outdoor Raman investigations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Forensic and security applications of a long‐wavelength dispersive Raman system

A novel dispersive system operating at 1064‐nm excitation and coupled with transfer electron InGaAs photocathode and electron bombardment CCD technology has been evaluated for the analysis of drugs of abuse and explosives. By employing near‐IR excitation at 1064‐nm excitation wavelength has resulted in a significant damping of the fluorescence emission compared to 785‐nm wavelength excitation. Spectra of street samples of drugs of abuse and plastic explosives, which usually fluoresce with 785‐nm excitation, are readily obtained in situ within seconds through plastic packaging and glass containers using highly innovative detector architecture based upon a transfer electron (TE) photocathode and electron bombarded gain (EB) technology that allowed the detection of NIR radiation at 1064 nm without fluorescence interference. This dispersive near‐IR Raman system has the potential to be an integral part in the armoury of the forensic analyst as a non‐destructive tool for the in‐situ analysis of drugs of abuse and explosives. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of melamine and other chemicals using a 1550 nm (retina‐safe) laser

Many trace chemical analyses are being transitioned from the lab to the field, among which is surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Although initial portable Raman analyzers primarily employ 785 nm laser excitation, recent studies suggest longer wavelengths, with an appropriate surface‐enhanced Raman‐active substrate, may provide equal sensitivity. Furthermore, 1550 nm excitation may provide added safety for the user, in that permanent retina damage does not occur. Here, we show that a reasonable enhancement factor can be obtained for melamine using 1550 nm laser excitation that is nearly equivalent to those obtained using 785 and 1064 nm laser excitation. We also demonstrate that a number of other chemicals of interest can be measured by 1550 nm surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, albeit only modest sensitivity is achieved because of instrument limitations, not enhancement factors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Laser wavelength dependence of background fluorescence in Raman spectroscopic analysis of synovial fluid from symptomatic joints

Gout is a disease process where the nucleation and growth of crystals in the synovial fluid of joints elicit painful arthritis‐like symptoms. Raman spectroscopy is evolving as a potential diagnostic tool in identifying such crystals; however, attainment of sufficient Raman signal while overcoming the background fluorescence remains as a major challenge. The current study focused on assessing whether excitation in 532–700 nm range will provide greater signal intensity than the standard 785 nm while not being impeded by background fluorescence. We characterized the fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra and Raman spectra of synovial fluid from patients who presented ‘gout‐like symptoms’ (symptomatic) and controls (asymptomatic). A digestion and filtration method was developed to isolate crystals from synovial fluid while reducing the organic burden. Spectral profile and photobleaching dynamics during Raman spectroscopy were observed under an excitation wavelength range spanning 532 to 785 nm. Absorbance and fluorescence profiles indicated the digestion and filtration worked effectively to extract crystals from symptomatic synovial fluid without introducing additional fluorescence. Raman spectral analyses at 532 nm, 660 nm, 690 nm and 785 nm indicated that both asymptomatic and symptomatic samples had significant levels of fluorescence at excitation wavelengths below 700 nm, which either hindered the collection of Raman signal or necessitated prolonged durations of photobleaching. Raman‐based diagnostics were more feasible at the longest excitation wavelength of 785 nm without employing photobleaching. This study further demonstrated that a near‐infrared (NIR) OEM‐based lower‐cost Raman system at 785 nm excitation has sufficient sensitivity to identify crystals isolated from the synovial fluid. In conclusion, while lower excitation wavelengths provide greater signal, the fluorescence necessitates NIR wavelengths for Raman analysis of crystal species observed in synovial aspirates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering and fluorescence emission of gold nanoparticle–multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrids

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are grafted with gold (Au) nanoparticles of different sizes (1–12 and 1–20 nm) to form Au–MWCNT hybrids. The Au nanoparticles pile up at defect sites on the edges of MWCNTs in the form of chains. The micro‐Raman scattering studies of these hybrids were carried using visible to infrared wavelengths (514.5 and 1064 nm). Enhanced Raman scattering and fluorescence is observed at an excitation wavelength of 514.5 nm. It is found that the graphitic (G) mode intensity enhances by 10 times and down shifts by approximately 3 cm⁻¹ for Au–MWCNT hybrids in comparison with pristine carbon nanotubes. This enhancement in G mode due to surface‐enhanced Raman scattering effect is related to the interaction of MWCNTs with Au nanoparticles. The enhancement in Raman scattering and fluorescence for large size nanoparticles for Au–MWCNTs hybrids is corroborated with localized surface plasmon polaritons. The peak position of localized surface plasmons of Au nanoparticles shifts with the change in environment. Further, no enhancement in G mode was observed at an excitation wavelength of 1064 nm. However, the defect mode (D) mode intensity enhances, and peak position is shifted by approximately 40 cm⁻¹ to lower side at the same wavelength. The enhanced intensity of D mode at 1064 nm excitation wavelength is related to the double resonance phenomenon and shift in the particular mode occurs due to more electron phonon interactions near Fermi level. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy with a distributed feedback diode laser emitting at 785 nm

A distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode emitting at 785 nm was tested and applied as a light source for shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS). Due to the physical properties of the laser diode, it was possible to shift the emission wavelength by 8 cm^-1 (0.5 nm) required for our SERDS measurements by simply changing the injection current. The internal grating ensured single mode operation at both wavelength with the frequency stability of ±0.06 cm^-1 (0.004 nm) required for high resolution Raman spectroscopic applications. The shifted spectra were used for calculating enhanced Raman spectra being obscured by a strong scattering background. A 16 dB (≈38 fold) improvement of the signal-to-background noise S̄/σ_B was demonstrated using blackboard chalk as a sample. The tunable DFB laser is a versatile excitation source for SERDS, which could be used in any dispersive Raman system to subtract fluorescence contributions and scattering background. PACS 82.80.Gk; 42.55.-f; 42.64.Fi     

Study of Raman spectrum of uranium using a surface‐enhanced Raman scattering technique

Raman spectroscopic investigation on weak scatterers such as metals is a challenging scientific problem. Technologically important actinide metals such as uranium and plutonium have not been investigated using Raman spectroscopy possibly due to poor signal intensities. We report the first Raman spectrum of uranium metal using a surface‐enhanced Raman scattering‐like geometry where a thin gold overlayer is deposited on uranium. Raman spectra are detected from the pits and scratches on the sample and not from the smooth polished surface. The 514.5‐ and 785‐nm laser excitations resulted in the Raman spectra of uranium metal whereas 325‐nm excitation did not give rise to such spectra. Temperature dependence of the B_3g mode at 126 cm⁻¹ is also investigated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of carbon nanotube filters and other carbonaceous materials by Raman spectroscopy—II: study on dispersion and disorder parameters

Recently, we have reported on the characterization of various carbonaceous materials including multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) filters, which have specific molecular filtering capabilities and good mechanical strength and can be produced in bulk as highly aligned arrays of bundles of CNTs. We have extended our studies using Fourier transform‐Raman spectroscopy with 1064 nm excitation wavelength and a rotating sample holder in the region 1000–2800 cm⁻¹, in addition to 532 and 785 nm, which were used for Raman excitation in our previous study. Raman spectra were analyzed for band positions and line shape with special emphasis on the D‐, G‐ and G′‐ bands. For the single‐walled species, Carbotrap and graphite spectra were also recorded with 488 nm excitation. A dispersion study has been made from the Raman data available with the different excitation wavelengths. Slight band shifts and band broadening could be observed under the two sample conditions, one with the stationary sample and the other with sample rotation. The spectral changes are related to the excessive heating caused in a stationary sample by laser irradiation. Based on our findings in this study combined with our earlier study, we can state that only a careful line shape analysis and study of intensity pattern of the D‐ and G‐Raman bands under well‐defined measurement conditions lends itself as a good measure of degree of alignment in the MWCNT bundles. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visible,near‐infrared,and ultraviolet laser‐excited Raman spectroscopy of the monocytes/macrophages (U937) cells

Raman spectra of the monocytes were recorded with laser excitation at 532, 785, 830, and 244 nm. The measurements of the Raman spectra of monocytes excited with visible, near‐infrared (NIR), and ultraviolet (UV) lasers lad to the following conclusions. (1) The Raman peak pattern of the monocytes can be easily distinguished from those of HeLa and yeast cells; (2) Positions of the Raman peaks of the dried cell are in coincidence with those of the monocytes in a culture cell media. However, the relative intensities of the peaks are changed: the peak centered around 1045 cm⁻¹ is strongly intensified. (3) Raman spectra of the dead monocytes are similar to those of living cells with only one exception: the Raman peak centered around 1004 cm⁻¹ associated with breathing mode of phenylalanine is strongly intensified. The Raman spectra of monocytes excited with 244‐nm UV laser were measured on cells in a cell culture medium. A peak centered at 1485 cm⁻¹ dominates the UV Raman spectra of monocytes. The ratio I₁₅₇₄/I₁₆₁₃ for monocytes is found to be around 0.71. This number reflects the ratio between proteins and DNA content inside a cell and it is found to be twice as high as that of E. coli and 5 times as high as that of gram‐positive bacteria. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoluminescence and Possible Amplified Spontaneous Emission from π-Conjugated Dye-Doped Thin Film

We prepared transparent polymer films doped with π-conjugated organic dyes around a multimode silica fiber and observed very narrow fluorescence peaks as compared with the fluorescence in solution. The peak position showed no dependence on the excitation wavelength, indicating that it could not be explained by a whispering gallery mode. The peaks can be explained by amplified spontaneous emissions (ASEs) because the intensity depended linearly on the excitation intensity with a threshold. When the excitation laser was directly coupled to the fiber core, we observed ASE peaks of the optical fiber itself. These fiber ASE peaks shifted to longer wavelength when we varied the excitation to shorter wavelength, which clearly ruled out the possibility of silicate Raman scattering as the origin.     

Dual‐wavelength monolithic Y‐branch distributed Bragg reflection diode laser at 671 nm suitable for shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy

A dual‐wavelength monolithic Y‐branch distributed Bragg reflection (DBR) diode laser at 671 nm is presented. The device is realized with deeply etched surface DBR gratings by one‐step epitaxy. A maximum optical output power of 110 mW is obtained in cw‐operation for each laser cavity. The emission wavelengths of the device are 670.5 nm and 671.0 nm with a spectral width of 13 pm (0.3 cm⁻¹) and a mean spectral distance of 0.46 nm (10.2 cm⁻¹) over the whole operating range. Together with a free running power stability of ± 1.1% this most compact diode laser is ideally suited as an excitation light source for portable shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS).     

噻菌灵农药的表面增强拉曼光谱分析

利用表面增强拉曼光谱技术(SERS)分析噻菌灵农药的拉曼特征峰。采用微波法制备银溶胶表面增强基底,利用激光显微共焦拉曼光谱仪分别采集514.5和785 nm激发波长下的噻菌灵农药拉曼光谱,解析不同激发波长下的拉曼特征峰并进行比较。结果表明：不同激发波长下噻菌灵的拉曼峰强度和拉曼频移差异较大,514.5 nm激发波长下的782和1 012 cm-1最强,是C—H变形振动较强特征峰,而785 nm激发波长下的1 284,1 450和1 592 cm-1最强,是环振动和CN伸缩振动较强特征峰。对比分析各个激发波长下噻菌灵的SERS谱图,找到了噻菌灵农药的5个较强特征拉曼峰：782,1 012,1 284,1 450和1 592 cm-1。这些特征峰可作为食品及农产品中噻菌灵农药残留定性定量判别的依据。     

An original approach for Raman spectroscopy analysis of radioactive materials and its application to americium‐containing samples

An approach for Raman measurements of highly radioactive samples is presented here. The innovative part of this approach lies in the fact that no single part of the Raman equipment is in direct contact with the radioactive sample, as the sample is sealed in an alpha‐tight capsule. Raman analysis is effectively performed through the optical‐grade quartz window closing the capsule. This allows performing micro‐Raman measurements on radioactive samples with no limitations on the laser source wavelength, polarisation mode, spectrometer mode and microscope mode (provided the focal length of the microscope objective is greater than the thickness of the quartz window and with sub mg samples). Some example results are shown and discussed. In particular, some spectral features of americium‐containing oxide nuclear fuel specimens are presented. Raman spectra clearly reveal in these specimens the presence of abundant oxygen defects induced in the fcc fluorite lattice by trivalent americium. In order to complete the analysis the Raman spectrum of pure americium dioxide was also measured with a lower energy excitation source compared with previous research. The current results seem to be consistent with the possible occurrence of a photolysis process induced by the Raman laser, resulting in the formation of hyperstoichiometric americium sesquioxide Am₂O_{3 + z}. Such a photolytic process is deemed to be unavoidable when visible lasers are used as excitation sources for the Raman analysis of americium dioxide. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Raman Spectroscopy Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

785 nm激光诱导银纳米三角片聚集表面增强拉曼散射效应

为实现表面增强拉曼散射（SERS）光谱的强信号快速检测分析,报道了通过785 nm激光诱导银纳米三角片（AgNPRs）聚集的方法。采用配体辅助化学还原法制备了AgNPRs,其边长约为80 nm,表面等离子体吸收峰出现在约774 nm处,对785 nm光产生有效吸收。在785 nm光辐照下,AgNPRs逐渐聚集,对巯基苯甲酸的SERS信号逐渐增强,其源于AgNPRs吸收的光转化为热而引起的AgNPRs聚集。其增强因子高达10⁹。为快速获得强SERS信号,激发光功率需大于250 mW。     

多波长消荧光拉曼光谱仪的研制及应用研究

拉曼光谱技术作为探究分子、晶体及其结构特征的有力手段,具有快速、无损、样品用量小、无需前处理且适应性强等优点,已被广泛应用于食品安全、石油化工等领域。但在拉曼光谱应用中,常常受到荧光背景干扰,导致拉曼信号降低,严重的情况下拉曼信号甚至会淹没在荧光背景中。为解决拉曼技术在实际应用中荧光背景干扰的问题,从仪器角度出发,采用二色镜对多波长拉曼光谱进行光路耦合设计,研制了近红外拉曼光谱与移频差分拉曼复合一体的多波长消荧光拉曼光谱检测系统,其中近红外拉曼光谱采用1 064 nm激光光源设计,移频差分拉曼光谱选取784.5和785.5 nm两组激光光源进行时分复用,在移频差分拉曼光谱检测的同时,亦可获得两组单波长拉曼光谱数据。通过对比同步测试和分时逐次测试的强度及峰位稳定性,验证了多波长消荧光拉曼光谱仪的同步测试性能;选取了多种荧光背景强弱不同的样品,进行了单波长拉曼、近红外拉曼及移频差分拉曼光谱的对比分析。针对丙酮、乙腈等荧光背景较弱的样品,可采用单波长拉曼光谱对样品进行定量及定性分析;针对食用油、红色塑胶微粒等荧光背景与拉曼信号强度相当的样品,可采用近红外拉曼光谱对样品进行定量及定性分析;针对红酒、棕色塑胶微粒等荧光背景较强的样品,需结合近红外拉曼光谱和差分拉曼光谱对样品进行定性分析。研究表明：通过多波长消荧光拉曼光谱检测系统的研制,在常规单波长拉曼光谱技术的基础上,将两种抑制荧光干扰技术有机结合,有效扩充了应用领域及样品检测范围。     

Micro-ring cavity mode of dye-doped thin film: Dependence on the excitation energy

We have prepared π-conjugated organic dye specimens embedded in a transparent polymer film and observed a characteristic photoluminescence peak, having very narrow peak width as compared with the fluorescence in solution, when we prepared the film around the perimeter of a multimode silica fiber. The peak position showed no dependence on the excitation wavelength, indicating that it could not be explained by a whispering gallery mode. The peaks can be explained by amplified spontaneous emissions (ASE) because the intensity depended linearly on the excitation intensity with some threshold. When the excitation laser was directly coupled to the fiber core, we observed ASE peaks of the optical fiber itself. These fiber ASE peaks shifted to longer wavelength when we varied the excitation to shorter wavelength, which clearly ruled out the possibility of silicate Raman scattering as the origin.     

Three-photon-induced fluorescence of diphenylhexatriene in solvents and lipid bilayers

We observed the emission of l,6-diphenyl-l,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) when excited with the fundamental output of a fs Ti:sapphire laser at 860 nm. The emission spectra of DPH were identical to that observed for one-photon excitation at 287 nm. The dependence of the DPH emission intensity on laser power was cubic, indicating three-photon excitation of DPH at 860 nm. At a shorter wavelength of 810 nm, the dependence on laser power was quadratic, indicating a two-photon process. At an intermediate wavelength of 830 nm the mode of excitation was a mixture of two- and three-photon excitation. At 830 nm the anisotropy is no longer a molecular parameter, and the mode of excitation and anisotropy of DPH depends on laser power. Frequency-domain anisotropy decays of DPH in triacetin revealed the same rotational correlation times for two- and three-photon excitation. However, the time 0 anisotropy of DPH was larger for three-photon excitation than for two-photon excitation. Steady-state anisotropy data for DPH-labeled membranes revealed the same transition temperature for one- and three-photon excitation. These anisotropy data indicate that membrane heating was not significant with three-photon excitation and that three-photon excitation may thus be of practical usefulness in fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy of membranes.     

Spectroscopy of Laser Plumes for Atto‐Mole and ng/g Elemental Analysis

Abstract

Two all‐optical analytical techniques are reviewed. Both are capable of highly sensitive multi‐element analysis. One is by means of resonance‐enhanced plasma spectroscopy. It minimizes the continuum background associated with laser‐induced plasmas. Relative to laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy, the signal‐to‐noise ratio is improved by orders of magnitude, thus allowing the quantitation of sodium and potassium at the single blood cell level. The other technique utilizes laser‐excited atomic fluorescence. It has been traditionally handicapped by its one wavelength–one transition specificity. We showed, however, that numerous elements could be induced to fluoresce at a single excitation wavelength of 193 nm provided that the analytes were imbedded in dense plumes, such as those produced by pulsed laser ablation. This method eliminates the continuum plasma background and sub‐ppb sensitivity was demonstrated in the analysis of aqueous lead colloids.     

基于拉曼光谱散射的新型分布式光纤温度传感器及应用

介绍了分布式光纤拉曼温度传感器(DTS)的基本原理、发展趋势和工程应用研究状况,研究了分布式光纤拉曼温度传感器的关键技术,全面提升了DTS的性能。将拉曼放大技术应用于DTS系统,用拉曼增益部分抵偿光纤的传输损耗,使系统的传感长度达到50 km;对脉冲激光器进行211位循环编码,在接收时采用相关运算解调,显著提高系统的信噪比,使测温不确定度达到1 ℃;采用双波长自校正技术提高了系统的空间分辨率,达到2 m;在DTS系统中嵌入光开关,使测温通道成倍扩展,有效延伸了传感光纤的总长度,组成光纤传感网络。     

Comparison of near infrared laser excitation wavelengths and its influence on the interrogation of seized drugs‐of‐abuse by Raman spectroscopy

The laser excitation wavelength is an important parameter in obtaining Raman spectra from drugs‐of‐abuse. This article compares the effect of near infrared wavelengths, 785 nm, using both benchtop and portable instrumentation and benchtop 1064 nm on the Raman spectra of seized drugs‐of‐abuse, including cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine freebase (crack), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘ecstasy’), amphetamine, diamorphine (heroin) and cannabis. The significant benefit of using 1064 nm for the interrogation of this type of sample is highlighted. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.