Techniques we employ and develop
Optoacoustic / Photoacoustic Spectroscopy
Photoacoustic spectroscopy is based in the conversion of modulated light into heat, resulting in a thermal expansion, which can be detected by means of a microphone or ultrasound transducers. It can be used for gas phase, liquid, and solid analysis.
Photophoresis is the motion of particles due to the influence of light.
Optothermal beam deflection is an optothermal techniques for highly sensitive absorption measurements.
Raman Microscopy and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering SERS
Raman Microscopy provides “fingerprint” spectra, which allow the distinction of a wide range of chemical substances with high spatial resolution and sensitivity.
In the immediate vicinity of metallic nanostructures (AG, Au), the Raman effect can be enhanced by many orders of magnitude. We employ the SERS effect mostly of microbiological applications.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy LIBS
LIBS is a technique for elemental analysis based on atomic emission of a laser-induced plasma spark.
Photofragmentation is the breaking of chemical bonds by photons, either selectively or non-selectively, depending on the wavelength band chosen. Detection is carried out either by detecting the optical emission generated by one of the fragments, which are in an excited state, or by measuring the ion current due to photoionization of the fragments.