Centice Announces Development of Low-Cost Deep UV Raman Spectrometer

Coded aperture applied to UV Raman spectroscopy enables trace analysis of surface chemicals and contaminants utilizing a low cost discharge lamp for excitation of surface area

MORRISVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Centice Corporation, a pioneer in chemical verification and identification using Raman spectroscopy and computational sensor technology, today announced the development of a new low-cost deep ultraviolet (UV) coded aperture Raman spectrometer. The current version enables trace analysis of surface chemicals and contaminants.

“Our UV Raman implementation will bring new low-cost capabilities to professionals in law enforcement and explosive detection.”

It will be showcased at SCIentific eXchange (SciX), the annual meeting of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies. The conference takes place September 30-October 5 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The UV Raman Spectrometer is an instrument for detecting chemicals on surfaces. Excitation in the UV region provides a resonance effect so the sensitivity of the technique is much higher than near-infrared Raman for certain chemicals (such as explosives). Furthermore, background fluorescence is significantly reduced in the deep UV region. This extra sensitivity enables close-up document scanning for trace chemical detection or for sensing of chemicals from a distance.

Centice has uniquely applied coded aperture to this system to increase light sensitivity and enable imaging over a wider area. Additionally, a gas discharge lamp (instead of a laser) is utilized for nearby detection to significantly lower the cost. Coded aperture designs are better suited for measuring large area excitation of sources such as gas discharge lamps than traditional slit systems.

Centice’s UV Raman Spectrometer can be employed by first responders, hazmat investigators and military personnel to detect and identify hazardous material or trace explosives. Centice’s technology is also applicable to crime lab and forensic analysis when trace material identifications are critical to case investigations. It is also well suited for biological applications.

“In the past, the development of UV Raman systems was inhibited by laser costs. We have overcome this obstacle by replacing the laser with a discharge lamp and leveraging the benefits of coded aperture design,” stated Centice CEO Dr. Prasant Potuluri. “Our UV Raman implementation will bring new low-cost capabilities to professionals in law enforcement and explosive detection.”

Centice will be providing demonstrations of its new technology (booth #25) throughout the SciX event. In addition, Dr. Prasant Potuluri will speak on September 30 at 5:40 pm as part of the “What’s Hot” Symposium. His presentation is titled “Low-Cost Deep-UV Raman Spectrometer.”

About Centice

Centice Corporation is an applied technology company innovating in advanced photonic sensor designs. The company creates and delivers solutions to select markets in law enforcement, homeland security and scientific analytical instruments. By leveraging an expertise in applied Raman Spectroscopy and patented Coded Aperture design our engineers deliver on faster acquisition times, greater sensor reliability and bring the advantages of coded aperture to multiple sensor modalities. Centice’s scientists and engineering teams work with a network of global partners to adapt the latest in science to emerging business and public service needs. Headquartered in Morrisville, NC and founded in 2004, the company markets products directly and through distributors.