Transparent Substrate Raman Spectrometry for Opaque Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface enhanced Raman spectrometry apparatuses face difficulties in directly analyzing opaque samples, such as those on filter paper or living tissue, due to the inability to irradiate and detect Raman scattered light effectively through opaque substrates.
Innovation Solution
A surface enhanced Raman spectrometry apparatus featuring a transparent substrate with a metal member causing surface enhanced Raman scattering, a pressing mechanism to position the sample, and a light detecting system that irradiates and detects Raman scattered light through the transparent substrate, allowing for analysis of opaque samples by amplifying and detecting the light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional surface enhanced Raman spectrometry apparatus is used with a metal member on a substrate, then Raman scattered light can be amplified, but opaque samples cannot be directly analyzed because the light cannot penetrate the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional configuration by making the substrate transparent instead of opaque, allowing light to pass through. This inversion of the substrate property enables both light penetration for sample irradiation and Raman scattered light detection through the same transparent substrate, resolving the contradiction between amplification capability and opaque sample analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the support for the metal member, allows incident light to pass through to reach the sample, and enables the transmitted Raman scattered light to be detected. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate windows or complex optical paths, simplifying the device while enabling opaque sample analysis
2Quantity of substance
If light is irradiated onto a sample from the substrate side, then the setup is simple, but the Raman scattered light intensity is insufficient for detecting small amounts of substances in opaque samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical properties of the substrate from opaque to transparent, fundamentally altering how light interacts with the sample system. This parameter change enables enhanced light transmission and allows the metal member's surface enhanced Raman scattering effect to amplify the already transmitted light, achieving detection of trace substances in opaque samples
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the efficient analysis of opaque samples by amplifying and detecting Raman scattered light through the transparent substrate, facilitating the identification of molecular structures in both liquid and solid samples, including those on filter paper or living tissue.
Implementation Method 1
surface enhanced Raman scattering to occur, formed on a surface of the transparent substrate
Implementation Method 2
The Raman effect is a phenomenon in which light having a wavelength different from that of incident light is scattered when the incident light is caused to enter a substance
Data Source
AI summary
A surface enhanced Raman spectrometry apparatus is constituted by: a transparent substrate; a metal member that causes surface enhanced Raman scattering to occur, formed on a surface of the transparent substrate; a pressing mechanism that presses a sample placed in contact with the metal member against the metal member; a measuring light irradiating optical system that irradiates a measuring light beam onto the sample through the transparent substrate; and a light detecting section that spectrally detects Raman scattered light, which is generated when the measuring light beam is irradiated onto the sample, through the transparent substrate.