Patent ID: 8599373
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A Raman sensor for detecting the concentration of a species of interest in a sample, the sensor comprising: a first substantially flat reflector; an adjustable optical fiber, wherein the adjustable optical fiber is translatable in a direction parallel to the fiber optic axis of the optical fiber; a second substantially concave reflector positioned at a proximate end of the optical fiber and aligned substantially normally to the first reflector, the second reflector separated from the first reflector by a distance to form a microcavity having a microcavity length equal to the distance between the first reflector and the second reflector, wherein the microcavity length is dependent upon the Raman transition of a species of interest to be detected; an excitation laser positioned to emit at an excitation wavelength incident upon the first reflector and the second reflector, wherein the wavelength of the excitation laser is dependent upon the microcavity length between the first reflector and the second reflector; and a Raman emission signal detector positioned to receive the Raman emission coupled out of the first reflector and to detect the concentration of the species of interest within a sample positioned between the first reflector and the second reflector.