Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for on-line process control in chemical plants.However, its low sensitivity and high cost has prevented the widespread adoption of Raman spectroscopy by the chemical and petrochemical industries. This project will develop a novel concept for a Raman probe that not only will provide higher sensitivity but also will be more affordable due to its simple structure. The probe will consist of a diameter-modulated sapphire coated with gold nanoparticles and will utilize the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:A high-sensitivity, low-cost Raman probe would be welcomed by process control engineers in the chemical and petrochemical industries. Such a probe also should benefit research scientists and engineers as well as environmental workers
