Abstract
It is observed that the focused 632 nm laser of the confocal micro-Raman spectrometer decomposes triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB). The temperature generated in the laser spot determined by measuring the ratio of the intensities of the anti-Stokes to Stokes spectra is too low to cause thermal decomposition. The observed decomposition is suggested to be a result of laser induced electronic excitation. The decomposition is even more severe when measured by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) where it results in a highly defected graphite structure. A gold coated silicon substrate having an array of pyramidal shaped holes is used to obtain surface enhanced Raman spectra of TATB deposited on the substrate as a 10−3 molar solution of toluene.
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Acknowledgement
This work was supported by the US Army, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, Picatinny, NJ 07806.