Abstract

Raman spectroscopy has benefited from recent advances in the technology of lasers, optics, thin film interference filters and multichannel detectors. A new generation of imaging detectors based upon microchannel plates with position sensitive anodes may increase the sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy. Such detectors would be particularly useful to Raman spectroscopy without surface enhancement. A position-sensitive detector (PSD) with resolution of 70 microns in both the x and y axis on a 1 inch diameter photocathode with a dark count of 30 counts per second (cps) was used. The signal and signal to noise ratio (SNR) of this detector was compared to the standard intensified photodiode array (IPDA) detector using the Raman spectra of the fundamental vibration of O₂ in air.

© 1987 Optical Society of America