A sensor for performing surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy comprises: a) a sensor
body having a throughbore; an optical energy source for generating an optical excitation
signal; b) a surface enhanced Raman scattering structure that is mounted to the
sensor body through which the optical excitation signal is directed for irradiating
an analyte, whereupon the analyte generates primary Raman emissions in response
to being irradiated by the optical excitation signal, and wherein the surface enhanced
Raman scattering structure generates secondary Raman emissions when irradiated
by the optical excitation signal; c) an optical detector for generating an output
signal that represents the spectral characteristics of the primary and secondary
Raman emissions in response to receiving the primary and second Raman emissions;
and d) a processor for substantially filtering the secondary Raman emission from
the primary Raman emissions and for generating an output signal representing the analyte.
