Raman probe using a single hollow waveguide

A simple Raman probe was realized using a single flexible hollow waveguide (HW). A HW coated with a silver film, which had reasonable transmission and little optical background noise, was used as a bidirectional transmission fiber for both the excitation and collection of Raman scattered light. The HW itself generated no Raman scattering or fluorescence noise during transmission. A complex filtering system at the end of the waveguide was thus unnecessary. In addition, the measured Raman spectra showed better signal-tonoise ratios than a conventional Raman fiber probe. The HW's suitability as a Raman fiber probe was also demonstrated. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.