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Related Concept Videos

Raman Spectroscopy Instrumentation: Overview01:26

Raman Spectroscopy Instrumentation: Overview

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A conventional Raman spectrophotometer includes a laser source, a sample holding system, a wavelength selector, and a detector.
The monochromatic laser source, typically using visible or near-infrared radiation, generates a highly focused beam of light. This light interacts with the molecules of the sample, scattering some of the light. Liquid and gaseous samples are usually tested in ordinary glass capillaries, while solids can be analyzed as powders packed in capillaries or as potassium...
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Raman Spectroscopy: Overview01:20

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The underlying principle of Raman spectroscopy is based on the interaction between light and matter, specifically molecules' inelastic scattering of photons. When a monochromatic beam of light, typically from a laser source, interacts with a sample, most scattered light has the same frequency as the incident light. This is known as Rayleigh scattering.
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Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

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Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
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Applications of IR Spectroscopy: Overview01:11

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The non-destructive nature and ability to provide valuable chemical information make IR spectroscopy a versatile technique with broad applications in various scientific and industrial fields. IR spectroscopy is commonly used to identify and characterize organic and inorganic compounds. It provides information about the functional groups present in a molecule and the bonding between atoms. This helps in the structural elucidation of compounds during organic synthesis, pharmaceutical research,...
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UV–Vis Spectrometers01:14

UV–Vis Spectrometers

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The absorbance of UV and visible (UV–visible) radiations is measured using a UV–visible spectrophotometer. Deuterium lamps, which emit UV radiation, and tungsten lamps, which produce radiation in the visible region, are used as light sources in UV–visible spectrophotometers. A monochromator or prism is used for diffraction grating, i.e., to split the incoming radiation into different wavelengths. A system of slits is used to focus the desired wavelength on the sample cell.
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Detecting fentanyl analogs in counterfeit pharmaceuticals by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using handheld Raman spectrometers.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: An Efficient Methodology to Confidently Differentiate and Characterize Fentanyl Analogs
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Identification of Opioids and Related Substances using Handheld Raman Spectrometers.

Adam Lanzarotta1, Mark Witkowski1, JaCinta Batson1

  • 1Forensic Chemistry Center, Office of Regulatory Science, Office of Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Cincinnati, OH, 45237.

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|October 24, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Handheld Raman devices accurately detect over 100 opioids, including fentanyl analogs. A parent-device library successfully transferred to daughter devices, enabling reliable field detection of these dangerous substances.

Keywords:
FDAfentanylfield testingforensic sciencehandheld Ramanopioids

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic chemistry
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Illicit opioid detection is crucial for public safety.
  • Handheld Raman spectroscopy offers rapid, on-site substance identification.
  • Standardization of field detection methods is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the performance of handheld Raman devices for opioid detection.
  • To assess the efficacy of electronic spectral library transfer from a parent to daughter devices.
  • To determine the accuracy and reliability of opioid identification in field-deployable settings.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a single "parent" handheld Raman device to generate spectral signatures for over 100 opioids and analogs.
  • Created a spectral library from parent device data.
  • Electronically transferred the spectral library to three "daughter" handheld Raman devices.
  • Tested daughter devices for discrimination of salt forms and isomers, and calculated detection rates.

Main Results:

  • Generated high signal-to-noise ratio spectra using <5 mg of compounds.
  • Daughter devices achieved a 97.3% true-positive alarm rate for opioids.
  • Opioid identification accuracy was 93.3%, with 100% true-negative, 0% false-positive, and 2.7% false-negative rates.
  • False negatives were attributed to weak signals and fluorescence.

Conclusions:

  • The parent-daughter electronic transfer method is effective for deploying opioid detection libraries.
  • Handheld Raman devices demonstrate high accuracy and reliability for field identification of opioids.
  • This technology enables laboratory-developed methods to be seamlessly transferred to field devices for enhanced drug enforcement and safety.