A thermoelectrically cooled surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TEC-SERS)
fiber optic probe for real-time and in-situ monitoring of volatile
organic compounds in gas, liquid, and soil environments. The TEC-SERS
probe comprises a sample chamber for receiving a gas sample and a fiber
optic Raman probe. The sample chamber comprises an inlet having a
semipermeable membrane for separating moisture from the gas sample, a
SERS substrate mounted on a thermoelectric cooler, a mass flow device for
providing airflow, and an output port. The fiber optic Raman probe is
operably coupled to a transparent window in the sample chamber for
directing an optical excitation signal to irradiate the SERS substrate
and for receiving a SERS optical signal from analytes from the gas sample
that are in contact with the SERS substrate.