A Real-Life Tricorder! Agilent Raman Resolve Through-Barrier Chemical Analyzer

[Hugoneus]

I hope you like this one!

You can watch the video here: [50 Minutes]
youtu.be/89_HY1oV_J0

In this episode Shahriar takes a close look at the Resolve Handheld Raman Analyzer for Chemical Identification from Agilent. This instrument resembles a real-life Tricorder with its ability to identify chemicals through various opaque containers.

https://www.agilent.com/en/product/molecular-spectroscopy/raman-spectroscopy/handheld-raman-chemical-detection-systems/resolve-handheld-raman-analyzer-for-through-barrier-chemical-identification

This video explores every aspect of this instrument's design from principle of operation to the modern electronics required to realize its function. The video is organized as follows:

00:00 - Introductions & first through-barrier scan example
02:46 - Raman history, invention & Nobel prize
04:41 - Infrared absorption, Raman spectroscopy theory, challenges and importance of fluoresce
10:49 - Fluorescence example & measurement using Uranium glass & HeCd laser
15:21 - Other applications of fluorescence such as microscopy
16:48 - Nonlinear optical effect and frequency doubling crystals, measurement of green laser
20:13 - Other applications of nonlinear optics, autocorrelation instrument to measure femtosecond pulses
23:18 - Electron excitation of atoms to produce photon emissions using Helium & Neon gasses
24:23 - Components required to build a Raman spectrometer
25:15 - Monochromator & spectrometer architectures, limitations & design
29:07 - Agilent Raman Spectrometer overall architecture, Raman chemical fingerprints
31:10 - Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) theory & application
32:43 - Agilent Raman Resolve use-cases, accessories and application scenarios
36:03 - Measurements & identification of spilled unknown powders & liquids
40:53 - Through-barrier plastics & glass measurement of mixed liquids & acids
42:52 - Agilent Resolve extensive library & material categories, Reach-back support
44:03 - Chemical identification examples using the Vial accessory
47:26 - Trace chemical concentration & sensitivity measurement
48:34 - Concluding remarks

[Hugoneus]

How did you find the topic of the video? It is a deviation from the usual RF instrumentation - but I believe diversity on the channel is a good thing overall.

[_Wim_]

How did you find the topic of the video?

I really liked it, but I am off course more into optics than RF... (and we use portable raman scanners at work to double check pharmaceutical ingredients before adding them to a bulk).

[richnormand]

I liked it too.
By the time you go in femtosecond optics and high RF there is a lot of concepts in common, including nonlinear processes.
For someone in long distance telecommunication (fiber) Raman is familiar too.
Please keep doing these. Learning new fields and hardware is also good.
Cheers.

[sebyon]

Hey, super awesome review!

You managed to explain a difficult analysis very well. Raman isn't an easy topic to cover. Agilent does some cool stuff but unfortunately out of reach for mere mortals.

I've managed to get my hands on probably the worlds smallest commercial Raman spectrometer a few weeks ago (literally slips into my pocket). Might have to look into showing it off sometime.