COUPLING FT RAMAN AND FT SERS MICROSCOPY WITH TLC PLATES FOR IN-SITU IDENTIFICATION OF CHEMICAL-COMPOUNDS

Direct analysis of sub-femtogram quantities of chemical compounds on t hin layer chromatography plates has been made possible by associating Fourier transform; Raman microspectroscopy with SERS spectroscopy. The interfacing elements of the FT Raman microscope system are discussed and optimised such that a lateral resolution on the micron scale is ac hieved in the sample plane. Micro-FT SERS results obtained from a mode l biological molecule indicate preservation of molecular conformation upon adsorption at the SERS active surface. With NIR radiation it is t hus possible to analyse plates with or without fluorescence indicators .