Applications

UV-Vis spectroscopy is routinely used in analytical science in part because it is a simple way of studying a sample’s optical properties over the UV and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Here, we used the DS5 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer to study the unique and interesting effects that occur when gold nanoparticles interact with light. Read to find out more.

Surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) is a technique that offers unparalleled sensitivity and specificity in spectroscopic detection and is promising for many applications in analytical research. In this new Application Note, we use the DS5 UV-Vis Dual Beam Spectrophotometer and RM5 Raman Microscope to demonstrate that the optical response of SERRS nanosensors contains combined SERS and RRS effects.

Optical probes based on lanthanide complexes are of particular interest in the biomedical field and life sciences due to their unique magnetic and photoluminescent properties. In this application note, an Edinburgh Instruments FS5 Spectrofluorometer is used for a complete characterisation of the lanthanide-based optical probes.

In this application note, the transition-metal dichalcogenide molybdenum disuflide (MoS2) is characterised using the RM5 Confocal Microscope with Raman and photoluminescence imaging to characterise its layer-dependent optoelectronic properties.

Surfaced enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a great technique to enhance the Raman scatter from a sample. One application SERS is well suited to is testing for the presence of pesticides on apple skin. This is important for keeping produce safe for consumptions, as well as monitoring the environmental impact of using pesticides.

In this application note, the transition-metal dichalcogenide tungsten diselenide (WSe2) is characterised using the RMS1000 Confocal Microscope with five imaging modalities: reflected brightfield & darkfield, Raman, photoluminescence and second harmonic generation to fully characterise its layer-dependent optoelectronic properties. The multimodal capabilities of the RMS1000 Confocal Microscope make it an ideal imaging platform for studying the optoelectronic properties of transition-metal dichalcogenides.

In this application note, an RMS1000 Confocal Microscope is used to image a tissue section of mouse intestine using two-photon excited fluorescence and second harmonic generation microscopy.

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have unique electrical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties which make them attractive for a wide variety of applications; ranging from drug delivery to battery electrodes. In this application note the FLS1000 Photoluminescence Spectrometer equipped with an InGaAs NIR camera is used to identify the chiral indexes present in a SWCNT sample using excitation emission matrix spectroscopy.

Raman spectroscopy is an analytical technique which can be used both quantitatively and qualitatively. This application note details the quantitative use of Raman spectroscopy to determine ethanol content in samples of whisky. Qualitatively, Raman spectroscopy can also be used for whisky analysis to ensure it does not contain methanol, a toxic alcohol which can be fraudulently used in alcohol sales to boost profits.

Molecular beacon probes are a sequence of nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA and RNA) that can be used to fluorescently detect the presence of a specific sequence of DNA or RNA. With real-world examples as PCR quantification, in vivo RNA detection, pathogen detection and viral load quantification. The use of molecular beacons, coupled with a sensitive spectrofluorometer facilitates the measurement of extremely low concentrations of DNA or RNA. In this application note, nanomolar concentrations of cDNA were quantified using a molecular beacon while controlling the temperature of incubation and measuring the sample emission with an Edinburgh Instruments FS5 Spectrofluorometer.