DiLaRa - Dual Wavelength Diode Laser System for Raman Spectroscopy

The project DiLaRa is focused on the development of novel diode lasers as excitation light sources for mobile Raman spectroscopy with miniaturized measurement systems. Two separate sections and implemented gratings on a single chip are used for alternating emission on two different wavelengths.

These innovative diode lasers are used for the spectroscopic method SERDS (Shifted Excitation Raman Difference Spectroscopy) allowing Raman spectroscopic measurements under e.g. highly fluorescent conditions. With SERDS, the limit of detection can be improved by more than an order of magnitude compared to conventional Raman spectroscopy. With the rice grain-sized monolithic light source, a compact Raman probe will be realized for the first time for SERDS with is only the size of a laser pointer. The project establishes the basis for an unique miniaturized Raman spectroscopic system which will be used for in situ measurements in application fields like e.g. security, biology, medicine, food control, and pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, this concept enables applications e.g. in absorption spectroscopy and the generation of THz radiation.

DiLaRa is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the program "Validierung des Innovationspotentials wissenschaftlicher Forschung – VIP" and is supported by the project executing agency VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH (funding period: 01.12.2011 - 30.11.2014).