There is a need for rapid and accurate detection and identification of complex aerosol particles in a number of fields for countless applications. Full identification of these particles has been hampered by the inability to use an information-rich spectroscopic method such as Raman scattering in a flowing aerosol environment due to the time needed to generate a Raman spectrum. Multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (MCARS) has been shown to generate a complete Raman spectrum from the material of interest using a single ultrabroadband pulse to coherently drive multiple molecular vibrations simultaneously. When used in conjunction with a narrow probe pulse, a complete Raman spectrum is created that can be detected in milliseconds. We will report on the MCARS spectra obtained from materials of interest at a distance of 1 m from the sample location. A limit of detection study of the MCARS spectrum of various materials of interest will be also reported in with the nonresonant background both present and removed. Additionally, a limit of detection study as a function of the number of pulses used to comprise the CARS spectrum of the materials of interest will be presented.

Date Published: 2 June 2015
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 9455, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XVI, 94550X (2 June 2015); doi: 10.1117/12.2181051

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9455:
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XVI
Augustus Way Fountain III, Editor(s)