Physical property determination using surface enhanced raman emissions

• US 6,590,647 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Stephenson, Kenneth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US09/848,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20020163639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 356/301, 356/326, 356/307
• US Class Current: 356/301
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/44 Raman spectrometry; Scattering spectrometry ; Fluorescence spectrometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/658 enhancement Raman, e.g. surface plasmons

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for determining a physical property of a material. The method includes: attaching nanoparticles to a substrate; positioning the substrate near the material; illuminating the nanoparticles with photons having wavelengths that stimulate surface enhanced Raman emissions; detecting photons emitted as a result of the illumination; and determining said physical property of said material using said detected photons. The apparatus includes: a substrate; nanoparticles attached to the substrate; a light source, connected to the substrate, for illuminating the nanoparticles with photons having wavelengths that stimulate surface enhanced Raman emissions; a photodetector, connected to the substrate, for detecting photons emitted as a result of illumination of the nanoparticles; and a processor, connected to the photodetector, for determining a property of material near the nanoparticles from the detected photons. The inventive method and apparatus are particularly adapted for use in connection with hydrocarbon exploration and production activities.

Claims

1. A method of determining a physical property of a material, said method comprising the steps of:

attaching nanoparticles to a substrate;

positioning said substrate near said material;

illuminating said nanoparticles with photons having wavelengths that stimulate surface enhanced Raman emissions;

detecting photons emitted as a result of said illumination; and

determining said physical property of said material using said detected photons.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises an optical fiber.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said optical fiber consists of a fiber core surrounded by a fiber cladding, defining an interface therebetween, and said particles are located near said interface.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises porous glass.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said material is a fluid.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said material is located within a wellbore within the earth'"'"'s subsurface.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said physical property is temperature.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said determining a physical property of said material comprises determining one or more chemical components of said material.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said material includes at least one of crude oil, natural gas, or water.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is located within a well logging tool.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is located beneath the surface of the earth, said nanoparticles are illuminated by a light source located above the surface of the earth, and said emitted photons are detected by a photodetector located above the surface of the earth.

12. An apparatus for determining a physical property of a material comprising:

a substrate;

nanoparticles attached to said substrate;

a light source, connected to said substrate, for illuminating said nanoparticles with photons having wavelengths that stimulate surface enhanced Raman emissions;

a photodetector, connected to said substrate, for detecting photons emitted as a result of illumination of said nanoparticles; and

a processor, connected to said photodetector, for determining a physical property of material near said nanoparticles from photons detected by said photodetector.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said substrate comprises an optical fiber.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said optical fiber consists of a fiber core surrounded by a fiber cladding, defining an interface therebetween, and said particles are located near said interface.

15. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said substrate comprises porous glass.

16. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said physical property is temperature.

17. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said determining a physical property of said material comprises determining one or more chemical components of said material.

18. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said substrate is attached to a well logging tool.

19. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said substrate is located beneath the surface of the earth, said light source is located above the surface of the earth, and said photodetector is located above the surface of the earth.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said photons produced by said light source have wavelengths in the near infrared spectrum.

21. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said substrate is located within a pipe carrying naturally occurring or processed hydrocarbons.