Trace Molecular Detection via Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering and Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering at a Distance of 15 Meters

Author： Scaffidi Jonathan P. Gregas Molly K. Lauly Benoit Carter J. Chance Angel S. Michael Vo-Dinh Tuan

Publisher： Society for Applied Spectroscopy

ISSN： 0003-7028

Source： Applied Spectroscopy, Vol.64, Iss.5, 2010-05, pp. : 485-492

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Abstract

We report the first demonstration of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection of para-mercapto benzoic acid (pMBA) and surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) detection of brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) and cresyl violet perchlorate (CVP) with continuous-wave excitation from a stand-off distance of 15 meters. We further report the first stand-off SERRS detection of BCB and CVP at that same distance in the presence of ambient fluorescent and incandescent/blackbody background light. These preliminary results suggest that it is possible to detect sub-nanomole amounts of material at reasonable distances with eye-safe laser powers using stand-off SERRS and serve as proof-of-concept highlighting the potential extension of stand-off Raman spectroscopy to include SERS and SERRS for remote, eye-safe chemical detection, analysis, and imaging in the presence of ambient background light.