Safety considerations for sample analysis using a near-infrared (785 nm) Raman laser source

Raman spectroscopy is often considered a nondestructive analytical technique; however, this is not always the case. The 300-mW 785-nm near-infrared (NIR) laser source used with many commercially available instruments has sufficient power to burn samples. This destructive potential is of special concern if the sample is irreplaceable (e.g., fine art, forensic evidence, or for in vivo medical diagnostics) or a hazardous energetic material (explosive or pyrophoric samples). This study quantifies the heat resulting from illuminating an extensive color array with a 785-nm NIR laser and relates these values to the hazards associated with Raman analysis. In general, darker colors were found to be more problematic. Since visible colors are not ideally correlated with absorptive characteristics at 785 nm, predictions based on thermography are not perfect; however, this approximation gives a useful method for predicting the thermal response of unknown samples to NIR exposure. Additionally, experimental studies evaluated the analysis of flammable organic solvents, propellants, military explosives, mixtures containing military explosives, shock-sensitive explosives, and gunpowders (i.e., smokeless, black, and Pyrodex powders). Safety guidelines for analysis are presented.

Selective stationary phase for solid-phase microextraction analysis of sarin (GB)

A number of critical field applications require monitoring air samples for trace levels of chemical warfare agents. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a convenient format to conduct these analyses. Measurements could be significantly improved if a SPME phase selective for nerve agents were substituted for non-selective polymers typically used (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane). This paper evaluates a novel stationary phase, previously developed for methylphosphonate sensor applications, for use with SPME sampling. The phenol-based polymer, BSP3, was found to offer far higher selectivity toward sarin (GB) than polydimethylsiloxane due to a pronounced affinity toward the target analyte and a lower affinity toward hydrocarbons.

Blind field test evaluation of Raman spectroscopy as a forensic tool

Analytical instrumentation for Raman spectroscopy has advanced rapidly in recent years to the point where commercial field-portable instruments are available. Raman analysis with portable instrumentation is a new capability that can provide emergency response teams with on-site evaluation of hazardous materials. Before Raman analysis is accepted and implemented in the field, realistic studies applied to unknown samples need to be performed to define the reliability of this technique. Studies described herein provide a rigorous blind field test that utilizes two instruments and two operators to analyze a matrix that consists of 58 unknown samples. Samples were searched against a custom hazardous materials reference library (Hazardous Material Response Unit (HMRU) Spectral Library Database). Experimental design included a number of intentionally difficult situations including binary solvent mixtures and a variety of compounds that yield medium-quality spectra that were not contained in the HMRU library. Results showed that over 97% of the samples were correctly identified with no occurrences of false positive identifications (compounds that were not in the library were never identified as library constituents). Statistical analysis indicated equivalent performance for both the operators and instruments. These results indicate a high level of performance that should extrapolate to actual field situations. Implementation of Raman techniques to emergency field situations should proceed with a corresponding level of confidence.