Rotating sample platform for SERS analysis

A rotating sample platform for a Surface Enhancement Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) detector, comprising:

• a rotator having an upright shaft, wherein the upright shaft is connected to the rotator and located along a vertical axis of the rotator;
• a motor having a motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft is connected to a base of the upright shaft;
• a sample platform concentrically located on the upright shaft, wherein the upright shaft is configured to protrude through the sample platform;
• a sample holder configured to hold a plurality of samples containing nanoparticles, wherein the sample holder includes a sleeve configured to fit over the upright shaft and attach to the sample platform;
• wherein the sample holder is connected to a plurality of slide supports, each slide support having an aperture configured to hold a slide, wherein each slide support is configured to tilt the slide to any one of a plurality of angles, and
• wherein each slide support comprises:
• a socket cup at a first end;
• a socket ball located within the socket cup, wherein the socket ball includes an internal magnetic strip;
• a socket ball holder configured to fit over and hold an upper portion of the socket ball;
• the socket ball holder including a read head configured to sense the magnetic strip and generate wireless signals;
• the socket ball holder further comprising a pin with a threaded end;
• a plurality of slides, wherein each slide is coated with one of a plurality of gold and a plurality of silver nanoparticles;
• a controller electrically connected to the motor, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the motor shaft to rotate the sample platform;
• a SERS detector having a laser configured to direct a light beam to each sample in the sample holder as the sample is positioned beneath the laser beam and to analyze scattered light from the sample.