New SERS substrates from Ocean Optics!

New SERS substrates from Ocean Optics!

Ocean Optics introduces an innovative manufacturing method for SERS substrates

SERS amplifies the Raman effect by creating a plasmon resonance field. Using precisely controlled gold nanoparticles, Ocean Optics SERS substrates can amplify very weak Raman signals by many orders of magnitude, which is critical for trace level detection. Unlike many existing SERS products on the market, Ocean Optics SERS substrates are easy to use, affordable and can be mass produced with high repeatability for routine deployment in the lab or field.

Nano Structure of SERS Gold or Silver Sponge Technology

Nano Structure of SERS Gold or Silver Sponge Technology

Ocean Optics gold, silver and nanosponge gold/silver SERS substrates let you make fast, repeatable SERS measurements for the identification and quantification of SERS-active analytes. Typical applications include trace level detection of explosives and narcotics and precision screening of food ingredients for controlled additives such as melamine and pesticides. SERS substrates also can be used for authentication and anti-counterfeiting applications using SERS-active taggants.

Key Applications

  • Detection of explosives. Being able to identify trace levels of explosives allows us to better screen for threats at security checkpoints or on the battlefield.
  • Detection of narcotics. Fast identification of drugs in the field is a real boon for those combating drug-related crime. Often only small residues of a sample can be collected from a crime scene. SERS also opens up a potential route for fast roadside drug screening of drivers using saliva samples.
  • Food safety. Certain additives such as melamine found in milk powder can be extremely harmful even at very low concentrations. Using SERS, we can qualify and quantify the level of dangerous trace elements in our food supply chain.
  • Anti-counterfeit tagging. High value products that are subject to duties and taxes — petrol is one example — are often the target of piracy and fraud. By adding a small amount of  a SERS-active taggant to the unadulterated product, detecting the presence of the taggant becomes an instant indicator of authenticity.
  • Biological research. SERS can be used to identify and characterize biological samples including proteins, DNA and bacteria.

Your Complete Raman Resource

Ocean Optics is proud to be the Raman spectroscopy partner of choice for both academia and industry. Our Raman portfolio offers you a complete range of suitable hardware for use with Ocean Optics SERS substrates. This includes the IDRaman family of products with Raster Orbital Scanning technology, which can further enhance the sensitivity and reproducibility of your SERS measurements.

ID-mini-and-SERS-photo-960x898

Handheld IDRaman mini with Gold SERS Substrate

Our team of application scientists is ready to help specify the best combination of products for your application of SERS spectroscopy, from substrate through to software. Ocean Optics is the OEM partner of choice to companies large and small. If you have a specific application of SERS in mind, contact us about customizing our SERS technology for your application.

Further Information: http://oceanoptics.com/product/sers/