Handheld IR Raman Spectroscopy for Rapid Chemical Identification

Aerius Photonics and partner Ahura Scientific, propose to develop a handheld system, based on Ahura’s successful FirstDefender Raman system, that employs an excitation laser emitting at 980 nm and a low noise InGaAs array based on Aerius’ high performance InGaAs technology. This system will substantially reduce the fluorescence present in CCD-based systems, and unmask otherwise obscured spectra. The combination promises to establish a new standard for identifying low concentrations of chemicals using a compact, easy-to-use system. At the end of a successful Phase II, we would deliver a prototype unit having a footprint similar to the FirstDefender that is capable of identifying chemicals within seconds, and ready to be put into use very quickly. In Phase I of this program, we plan to build a breadboard version of the system that employs a 980 nm laser, a probe, a miniature spectrometer, and an InGaAs array.