SERS Substrates

Key Applications

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 taggant becomes an instant indicator of authenticity.

Specifications	RAM-SERS-AG	RAM-SERS-AU-5
Excitation Wavelength	532 nm	785 nm
Sensitivity	ppm to ppb level sensitivity for wide range of analytes	ppm to ppb level sensitivity for wide range of analytes
SERS Active Chemistry	Silver (Ag) Nanoparticles	Gold (Au) Nanoparticles
Laser Power	≤20 mW	≤20 mW
Reusable	No	No
SERS Active Area	5.5 mm diameter circle	5.5 mm diameter circle
Slide Dimensions	25.4 x 76.2 x 1 mm	25.4 x 76.2 x 1 mm
Slide Material Specification	Borosilicate Glass	Borosilicate Glass
Storage Lifetime	1 month	1.5 month
Volume of Analyte	15 µL	15 µL