Background suppression for improved Raman spectroscopy
Avacta Ltd has developed advanced Raman technology to enable spectra to be collected from samples previously not possible due to background signal strength.
Many real world samples emit a strong background fluorescence signal which can catastrophically obscure the Raman signal; overwhelming ambient light can also have the same background effect. Avacta have developed a unique technology to suppress these background signals and enable Raman spectra to be acquired from difficult, non-ideal samples.
Using Avacta’s Raman background suppression technology can provide a signal to noise improvement by a factor of approximately 100 times. Such a leap forward in capability provides significant advantages in many Raman spectroscopy applications, from lab based material science, to portable chemical/biological molecular detection, to quality control and in-line industrial process monitoring.
Spectral data recorded using a standard Raman spectrometer* in high ambient light conditions with Avacta background suppression turned off
Spectral data recorded from the same sample under the same ambient conditions with Avacta background suppression (retrofitted to the Raman spectrometer*) turned on
Conclusion: Raman bands can clearly be seen when the Avacta background suppression turned on (signal to noise approx 20:1) whereas there is no clear indication of any Raman bands in the spectrum using a conventional Raman data acquisition method
* Note: The Raman spectrometer used during development and testing of Avacta’s Raman background suppression was a standard commercially available benchtop instrument modified for this specific purpose. Retrofits are not available for standard Raman instruments without development collaboration between system supplier and Avacta.