Fluorescence Interference
Definition
The dominant failure mode of handheld Raman in field conditions: organic contaminants, polymers, and biological matrices fluoresce under laser illumination and generate a broad signal that overwhelms the Raman shift spectrum. Mitigated by using 1064 nm excitation.
Related terms
- Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) FTIR
- An infrared spectroscopy configuration where the IR beam passes through an ATR crystal and generates an evanescent wave that samples a thin...
- Diphenylamine (DPA) Test
- A broad-spectrum presumptive colour test for nitrate and nitrite compounds, producing a blue-green coloration. Reactive with multiple oxidising agents, so environmental context...
- Explosive-Detection Canine (EDC)
- A trained dog used to detect vapour-phase explosive signatures in open areas, vehicles, or baggage. Certified under national programmes (TSA CTCP, UK...
- Griess Test
- A presumptive colour test for nitrite and nitrate ions that uses a diazotisation-coupling reaction to produce a pink-to-red azo dye. Common in...
- Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
- A field-deployable analytical technique that separates ions by their mobility in an electric field at atmospheric pressure. Used for trace explosive detection...
- J-Acid Test (Janovsky-Type)
- A presumptive colour test for polynitroaromatic compounds (TNT, DNT) that produces a red-purple coloration. More selective for nitroaromatics than the Griess or...
- Presumptive Test
- A fast, low-cost, class-specific screen used to triage a caseload before instrumental work begins. Examples are Marquis reagent for opioids and amphetamines,...
- Raman Spectroscopy
- A non-destructive laser-based technique sensitive to molecular vibration modes in pigments; complements FTIR by characterising pigment molecular structure rather than bulk ink...
- Reduced Mobility (K0)
- The normalised ion drift velocity in an IMS instrument, correcting for temperature and pressure. A compound's K0 value at a given field...
Explained in
- Field Explosives Detection: IMS, ETD, Canines and RamanThe dominant failure mode of handheld Raman in field conditions: organic contaminants, polymers, and biological matrices fluoresce under laser illumination and...