Photonic Nose for Chemo- and Bio-Agent Detection: A Novel Surface Enhanced Raman Approach

摘要

Critical feasibility concerns, and therefore phase I objectives, are: (1) transfer of the technology from an academic lab (JILA) to industry (Vescent), (2) thin film characterization and definition of a manufacturing protocol to provide reproducible SERS active sites, and (3) demonstration of the Raman enhancement via recording the spectrum of a known analyte. All of the phase I objectives were met. Vescent Photonics worked within the JILA laboratory in order to learn both the synthesis techniques and the metrology methodology associated with photo-generated SERS films. This experience facilitated the design of a Vescent experimental apparatus, which enabled production and analysis of SERS films at the Vescent facility. This was one of the key objectives for technology transfer from JILA ato industry. The polymer films were scrutinized by stylus profilometry, and atomic force microscopy. The process tolerances for uniform film generation were refined, and most notably, the film thickness was determined to be