Thermo-electrically cooled surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy sensor system to detect volatile organic compounds
First Claim
1. A thermo-electrically cooled surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensor system, comprising:
- at least one means for providing an inert gas;
at least one thermal desorption tube coupled to the at least one means for providing an inert gas, wherein the at least one tube contains an adsorbate for collecting a gas sample and wherein the gas sample and the inert gas mix to create a gas mixture;
a sample chamber coupled to the at least one thermal desorption tube for receiving the gas mixture;
a SERS structure positioned in the sample chamber; and
an optical module mounted to the sample chamber for directing an optical excitation signal to irradiate the SERS structure and for receiving a SERS optical emissions signal.
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Abstract
A thermoelectrically cooled surface-enhanced Raman spectrometer sensor system and method for monitoring of volatile organic compounds in gas, liquid, and soil environments. The sensor system comprises a means for providing an inert gas, a thermal desorption tube containing an adsorbate, and a sample chamber with a SERS structure. For liquid and soil environments, the sensor system also comprises a manifold having a semipermeable membrane for separating moisture from an analyte. An optical module mounted to the sample chamber directs an optical excitation signal for irradiating the SERS structure and receives a SERS optical emissions signal. Such optical emissions signal may be detected by a spectroanalysis system and correlated to a particular analyte by a control processor, which generates an alert signal containing a message that the presence of analyte has been detected. The control processor may also activate warning device, such as an audible siren or a visual alarm.
31 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A thermo-electrically cooled surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensor system, comprising:
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at least one means for providing an inert gas; at least one thermal desorption tube coupled to the at least one means for providing an inert gas, wherein the at least one tube contains an adsorbate for collecting a gas sample and wherein the gas sample and the inert gas mix to create a gas mixture; a sample chamber coupled to the at least one thermal desorption tube for receiving the gas mixture; a SERS structure positioned in the sample chamber; and an optical module mounted to the sample chamber for directing an optical excitation signal to irradiate the SERS structure and for receiving a SERS optical emissions signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for identifying an analyte of interest, comprising the steps of:
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collecting a gas sample in a thermal desorption tube; mixing the gas sample with an inert gas to create a gas mixture; contacting a SERS structure with the gas mixture; irradiating the SERS structure with optical excitation energy for stimulating a SERS optical emission signal if the gas sample contains an analyte that is in contact with the SERS structure; determining the identity of the analyte from the SERS optical emission signal; and generating an alert signal when an analyte is in contact with the SERS structure. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification