FAQ

Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical technique that uses the scattering of laser light to detect vibrational, rotational, and other low-energy modes in molecules. It provides a unique “chemical fingerprint” of a substance.

Both techniques study molecular vibrations, but Raman spectroscopy measures light scattering, while IR spectroscopy measures light absorption. They are often complementary and can provide a more complete picture when used together.

Raman spectroscopy can be used to analyze solids, liquids, and gases. It is particularly useful for inorganic or organic compounds, polymers, pharmaceuticals, drugs, hazardous materials, geology, forensics, some kind of explosives and many others.

Usually, minimal or no sample preparation is needed. Raman spectroscopy can often be performed directly on the sample, even through glass or packaging. Only in specific cases should the sample be placed in a special test vial or plastic bag.

Yes, but only with proper calibration and methodology, Raman spectroscopy can provide quantitative information, although it is most commonly used for qualitative and structural analysis. Raman spectrometry cannot be expected to accurately determine the concentrations of mixtures, but an approximate determination of the amount of the substance of interest is not impossible.

Yes, Raman signals can be weak, and fluorescence from the sample may interfere with the measurement. Additionally, highly absorbing or dark materials may produce heat during laser exposure. In extreme cases, it cannot be excluded that the tested sample may catch fire or explode. Safety guidelines must be strictly respected during the measurement.

Choosing between a 785 nm and 1064 nm Raman spectrometer depends mainly on fluorescence sensitivity, sample type, and application needs.

Yes, Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for material identification, especially when combined with a spectral library. When you measure an unknown sample:

1. The Raman spectrum is collected.
2. It is compared against a database of known materials.
3. A match score suggests the closest compound(s).

Important notes:

• Results are only as good as the quality and coverage of the library
• Spectral differences may arise due to polymorphs, mixtures, or fluorescence
• Advanced software can deconvolute multi-component samples

Raman is widely used in forensics, customs, quality control, and material verification for this reason.

Yes, Raman spectroscopy can analyze mixtures even if interpretation may become more complex. The resulting spectrum often contains overlapping peaks from all components. Advanced software (e.g., multivariate analysis or spectral deconvolution) can help separate and identify individual substances. The identification of the individual components of a mixture may not always be unambiguous, especially if the mixture contains a higher number of components with overlapping spectral responses

Explosive trace detection refers to the process of identifying microscopic residues or vapors of explosive materials. ETD systems detect either particulate traces left behind on surfaces or vapors released from explosive compounds. These traces are often invisible to the naked eye but can be highly informative for security screening, forensic analysis, or military applications.

ETD typically involves collecting a sample (e.g. by swabbing a surface) and analyzing it using advanced and highle sensitive technologies such as chemiluminiscence, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), mass spectrometry, under several contition also Raman spectroscopy. RS DYNAMICS uses the unique IRSSIL (Infra Red Sampled Selective Luminescense) technology.

Modern ETD systems can detect a wide range of commercial, military, and homemade explosives, including but not limited to:

• TNT, RDX, PETN, and HMX
• Ammonium nitrate-based mixtures
• Nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose
• TATP and HMTD (common homemade explosives)
• Plastic explosives (e.g., Semtex, C4)

RS DYNAMICS instruments are optimized to detect both pure explosives and complex mixtures.

ETD devices are extremely sensitive, capable of detecting trace amounts in the nanogram or even picogram range. This means that even minuscule quantities of explosive residue – left behind on clothing, luggage, vehicles, or tools – can be identified. It is often possible to detect traces that have adhered to selected surfaces even after multiple trace transmissions.

No. One of the common issues with traditional explosive trace detection systems – especially those using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS)—is internal contamination. These systems often trap microscopic residues of explosives inside their sampling paths, drift tubes, or filters. Over time, this leads to false positives, reduced accuracy, and the need for frequent, often complex cleaning and recalibration.

RS DYNAMICS devices are specifically engineered to avoid these problems. Thanks to their advanced high temperature design, explosive particles do not accumulate inside the instrument. There’s no need to disassemble or decontaminate the system between scans or during longterm usage.

This makes RS DYNAMICS devices especially reliable for field operations, where speed, repeatability, and low maintenance costs are crucial. Users can perform repeated measurements without any risk from contamination even under high expositions of highly volatiles compounds.

ECOPROBE 4 is discontinued product. ECOPROBE 4 comprises only PID analyzer and did not offer the advanced features which ECOPROBE 5 provides. Once you learn how to work with ECOPROBE 5, you will never want to return to its previous model. And if you once have worked with ECOPROBE 4, it is easy to make the step to the next model, comprising latest technology, a powerful computer, combination of highly sensitive PID + 3 channel selective Infra-red analyzer capable of selective reading of Methane, CO2 and Hydrocarbon group. ECOPROBE 5 also measures temperature, ambient and sampling pressure, oxygen, includes built-in GPS and much more…

One year .

Generally there are no spare parts needed. Everything is included in the instrument and does not require any replacement (if there has not been any severe mechanical damage to the instrument). There are only a few cheap consumable items – dust filters (petrol filters available at the manufacturer or petrol stations) and plastic tubing needed for the field survey. Using dust filters to avoid sucking in dust particles into the analytical units is highly recommended and significantly extends the servicing time of the instrument.

Life expectancy varies for different lamps and is dependant upon lamp energy. The 11.7 eV lamp has the shortest life-time. Since the high-quality PID lamp used in ECOPROBE 5 is operated in a cold mode, the real life time is more than 20 times higher than hot-operated lamp in Gas Chromatographs. Experience shows that under standard conditions and everyday use, the 10.6 eV lamp will provide a high-quality output for 8-10 years.

Note: Sucking in of ingressive liquid can destroy the lamp immediately!

ECOPROBE 5 operates with the high quality Lead-Acid battery which does not need any special attention. There is no memory effect and the battery can be re-charged during the day. It is a good practice to charge the instrument overnight, which will give the whole day operation under the general surveying conditions. During extended storage, the battery should be charged every two to three weeks.

The experience shows that the very high quality Lead-Acid battery can supply the instrument (under general conditions) for approximately 10 years without requiring any special care. The battery is not removable and changing the battery is a service operation not available to the clients.

ECOPROBE 5 ‘s GPS system is very flexible. Inside the ECOPROBE 5 is an optional hardware & software that enables fully integrated operation with external GPS receiver, which is directly connected to the ECOPROBE 5’s system connector (this is the only connector ECOPROBE 5 is equipped with and serves for all electronic connection). RS DYNAMICS offers mainly GPS Smart Antenna with a 12-channel module. Besides that, ECOPROBE 5’s internal software supports about 8 other types of GPS receivers mostly from Ashtech, the software also supports the “post-processing” systems like DIM, SENSOR2, TRIMBLE and others. It is possible to extend the internal list for virtually any GPS system know on the market.

Data obtained from GPS receiver are WGS 84 coordinates (latitude, longitude and altitude) which are together with “surface meter” coordinates automatically added to the data spreadsheet containing all measured data from the instrument.

Depending upon the configuration of the instrument – duration of the integration interval, pumping speed, outside temperature and others the unit can measure from 120 to 200 stations per one charge, in other words it can operate one day for one charge. Charging time varies from 4 to 6 hours to full charge, one to 80% of the full charge. Nevertheless, it is recommended to charge the instrument overnight in order to have it fully charged for the next day measurement.

It is not possible at all. The sampling probe may contain a precise thermometer and hammering it into the ground would definitely break the thermometer and the probe itself. A metal rod or a drilling machine may be used to make the holes into the ground.

It is necessary to use the standard ECOPROBE 5 sampling probe that is equipped with an automatic water valve. The automatic water valve prevents water being sucked into the instrument. Anyway you must avoid sampling any liquid without using a standard probe. Sucking in liquid causes serious and expensive damage to the instrument.