Hand-Held Raman Analyzer for Chemical Identification

The overall goal of this proposed program (through Phase III) is to build a hand-held Raman analyzer that can perform non-contact identification and hazard classification of chemicals in the field. This will be accomplished by building an exceptionally small interferometer, and producing a field-worthy, hand-held Raman analyzer that is less than 6x6x4” and 8 lbs. The Phase I program demonstrated feasibility by measuring 50 chemicals using laser excitation at 785, 976, and 1064 nm and establishing that fluorescence occurred for both 785 and 967 nm in many samples, but none at 1064 nm. Furthermore all chemicals, including TNT, could be identified in 10 seconds. The objective of the Phase II program is to build a hand-held Raman analyzer prototype to perform the desired measurements. This will be accomplished by building a new, extremely compact interferometer, and producing a hand-held Raman analyzer that employs 1064 nm laser excitation through a 10-15 ft extendable fiber optic probe, and is 7x6x6” and weighs 10.5 lbs (4.8 kg). The design allows for continued decrease in size. A fully functional prototype, complete with chemical identification and quantitation software and a simple to operate user-interface, will be delivered at the end of the Phase II program.