Abstract: A spectrometer, such as a Raman spectrometer, adapted for analyzing a complex sample is provided. In an example implementation, the spectrometer may be able to determine one or more spectral characteristics of an inner subsurface layer or region of a complex sample (e.g., contents of a container). In one embodiment, for example, A spectrometer includes an excitation source configured to provide an excitation signal; an optical system configured to direct the excitation signal toward a sample and receive a spectroscopy signal from the sample. The optical system may include a spatial filter configured to separate or isolate at least one first portion of the spectroscopy signal from at least one second portion of the spectroscopy signal and pass the at least one first portion of the spectroscopy signal. A detector is configured to determine at least one spectral feature of the at least one first portion of the spectroscopy signal.

Abstract: A method of measuring Raman scattering includes exciting Raman scattering of a sample with a first wavelength and a second wavelength of electromagnetic radiation traveling along a common optical path to form a first scattered radiation and a second scattered radiation. The first wavelength reaches the sample polarized in a first direction, and the second wavelength reaches the sample polarized in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The method includes collecting a first Raman spectrum from the first scattered radiation, collecting a second Raman spectrum from the second scattered radiation, and forming a decomposed Raman spectrum based on the first Raman spectrum and the second Raman spectrum. The decomposed Raman spectrum may be substantially free of noise, such as fluorescence and background radiation. Related spectrometers and laser devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Spectrometers and methods for determining the presence or absence of a material in proximity to and/or combined with another material are provided. In one particular example, a spectrometer is provided that includes a light source, a detector and an optical system. In this implementation, the light source is configured to provide an excitation incident beam. The detector is configured to detect a spectroscopy signal. The optical system is configured to direct the excitation incident beam toward a sample at a non-zero angle from a zero-angle reference. The optical system is further configured to receive a spectroscopy signal from the sample and provide the spectroscopy signal to the detector. The detector is configured to remove a spectral interference component of the spectroscopy signal.

Abstract: Spectrometers and methods for determining the presence or absence of a material in proximity to and/or combined with another material are provided. In one particular example, a spectrometer is provided that includes a light source, a detector and an optical system. In this implementation, the light source is configured to provide an excitation incident beam. The detector is configured to detect a spectroscopy signal. The optical system is configured to direct the excitation incident beam toward a sample at a non-zero angle from a zero-angle reference. The optical system is further configured to receive a spectroscopy signal from the sample and provide the spectroscopy signal to the detector. The detector is configured to remove a spectral interference component of the spectroscopy signal.

Abstract: A method of measuring Raman scattering includes exciting Raman scattering of a sample with a first wavelength and a second wavelength of electromagnetic radiation traveling along a common optical path to form a first scattered radiation and a second scattered radiation. The first wavelength reaches the sample polarized in a first direction, and the second wavelength reaches the sample polarized in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The method includes collecting a first Raman spectrum from the first scattered radiation, collecting a second Raman spectrum from the second scattered radiation, and forming a decomposed Raman spectrum based on the first Raman spectrum and the second Raman spectrum. The decomposed Raman spectrum may be substantially free of noise, such as fluorescence and background radiation. Related spectrometers and laser devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopy technique allows an analyte, a paramagnetic particle, and a spectral enhancement particle to combine in solution and for the combination product to be localized by a magnetic field for analysis. The spectral enhancement particle may be comprised of an active SERS metal particle with or without a material coating. The spectral enhancement particle may function as a reporter for the presence of the analyte or merely increase the magnitude of the Raman spectrum of the analyte. The technique is applicable to both immunoassays and chemical assays. Multiple spectral enhancement particle reporters may be measured in a single assay that can detect multiple analytes using the SERS effect.

Abstract: Spectrometers and methods for determining the presence or absence of a material in proximity to and/or combined with another material are provided. In one particular example, a spectrometer is provided that includes a light source, a detector and an optical system. In this implementation, the light source is configured to provide an excitation incident beam. The detector is configured to detect a spectroscopy signal. The optical system is configured to direct the excitation incident beam toward a sample at a non-zero angle from a zero-angle reference. The optical system is further configured to receive a spectroscopy signal from the sample and provide the spectroscopy signal to the detector. The detector is configured to remove a spectral interference component of the spectroscopy signal.

Abstract: An assay and method of making same for use in SERS spectroscopy. The assay includes colloidal particles of a metal, which have been lyophilized. The lyophilized particles of metal produce a SERS active solution when reconstituted. The lyophilized particles of metal may be provided in a container in an assay system.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system is described that provides at least one of focus of an excitation beam onto a sample, automatic focus of an optical system of the spectroscopic system for collecting a spectroscopic signal, and/or averaging of excitation intensity over a surface area of the sample.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system is described that provides at least one of focus of an excitation beam onto a sample, automatic focus of an optical system of the spectroscopic system for collecting a spectroscopic signal, and/or averaging of excitation intensity over a surface area of the sample.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system is described that provides at least one of focus of an excitation beam onto a sample, automatic focus of an optical system of the spectroscopic system for collecting a spectroscopic signal, and/or averaging of excitation intensity over a surface area of the sample.

Abstract: An assay and method of making same for use in SERS spectroscopy. The assay includes colloidal particles of a metal, which have been lyophilized. The lyophilized particles of metal produce a SERS active solution when reconstituted. The lyophilized particles of metal may be provided in a container in an assay system.

Abstract: An assay method and kit for detecting a chemical. The method and kit utilize a metal surface capable of surface enhanced Raman Scattering. The metal surface may be provided in the form of one or more nanoparticles, to increase the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the metal surface. The nanoparticles may be treated with one or more additives to further enhance or maintain the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: An assay method and kit for detecting a chemical. The method and kit utilize a metal surface capable of surface enhanced Raman Scattering. The metal surface may be provided in the form of one or more nanoparticles, to increase the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the metal surface. The nanoparticles may be treated with one or more additives to further enhance or maintain the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: An assay method and kit for detecting a chemical. The method and kit utilize a metal surface capable of surface enhanced Raman Scattering. The metal surface may be provided in the form of one or more nanoparticles, to increase the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the metal surface. The nanoparticles may be treated with one or more additives to further enhance or maintain the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system is described that provides at least one of focus of an excitation beam onto a sample, automatic focus of an optical system of the spectroscopic system for collecting a spectroscopic signal, and/or averaging of excitation intensity over a surface area of the sample.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for taking a Raman spectrum of a sample is disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, an integrated Raman spectrometer is provided. In another embodiment, a portable Raman spectrometer is provided. In another embodiment, a Raman spectrometer is provided comprising a collimated beam tube for transmitting excitation radiation to an external optical system, such as a microscope, a telescope or a camera lens. In another embodiment, a method for correcting a Raman spectrum for background interference is provided. In yet another embodiment, a method for rejecting fluorescence in a Raman spectrometer is provided. A chemical reactor comprising a built-in Raman detector for monitoring a chemical reaction in a reaction chamber of the reactor is also provided.

Abstract: A colloidal system for detection of a variety of analytes involves techniques which permit reconstitution of a desiccated substance such as for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic analysis and multiple sensors at once, each having different spectra through the use of markers or the like. Competitive assay techniques and a variety of substances are explained to permit a practical an versatile system which can also be used for immunological assays and can include antibodies tagged to provide spectroscopic indicia.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for detecting and analyzing controlled substances and the like are discussed including highly reactive sensor molecules which are coated on a spectroscopic sample surface (4) and which may chemically react with a given analyte to form a covalently bonded adduct with spectral characteristics unique to the new adduct. The techniques provide the basis of a detection system with high sensitivity and high specificity in which the surface can even be washed to remove interfering or nonreactive compounds. The sensor molecules which comprise the coating (8) may have three major components: a central molecular scaffold (“CMS”), a “tether” terminated by a surface attachment group “SAG,” and a reactive functional group “RFG” which may be highly reactive towards certain classes of molecules.

Abstract: An assay and method of making same for use in SERS spectroscopy. The assay includes colloidal particles of a metal, which have been lyophilized. The lyophilized particles of metal produce a SERS active solution when reconstituted. The lyophilized particles of metal may be provided in a container in an assay system.