Patent ID: 6967717

Claim:
A thermo-electrically cooled surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensor system, comprising: a source for providing an inert gas; a manifold having a semipermeable membrane for separating moisture from an analyte wherein said analyte and said inert gas mix to create a gas mixture; a chamber body having a sample chamber for receiving said gas mixture; a SERS structure is positioned in said sample chamber, wherein said SERS structure includes a metal foil having a roughened surface, and wherein said SERS structure further includes a self-assembled monolayer of thiol formed on said roughened surface; an optical energy source for generating an optical excitation signal that irradiates said SERS structure; a spectroanalysis system for detecting optical emissions generated in response to said SERS structure being irradiated by said optical excitation signal when said analyte is in contact with said SERS structure; and a drying chamber for removing moisture from said gas mixture.