Multiplex coherent raman spectroscopy detector and method

An apparatus comprising:

• means for producing a narrowband coherent beam having a bandwidth of less than 1 wavenumber;
• means for generating a broadband coherent beam having a bandwidth of more than 3000 wavenumbers;
• and
• means for directing the narrowband coherent beam and the broadband coherent beam to a sample simultaneously to produce coherent Raman radiation scattered from the sample and comprising the complete vibrational Raman spectra of the sample with a spectral resolution of less than one wavenumber.

A method of generating the complete vibrational Raman spectra of a sample comprising the steps of:

• producing a narrowband coherent beam having a bandwidth of less than 1 wavenumber;
• generating a broadband coherent beam having a bandwidth of more than 3000 wavenumbers;
• and
• directing the narrowband coherent beam and the broadband coherent beam to a sample simultaneously to produce coherent Raman radiation scattered from the sample and comprising the complete vibrational Raman spectra of the sample with a spectral resolution of less than one wavenumber.

A Raman cell for generating a driving pulse for a broadband coherent beam generator comprising:

• a closed cell filled with gas that produces a backward-propagating, phase-conjugate, coherent Raman radiation beam of substantially circular cross-section and substantially uniform intensity in response to being irradiated with a coherent beam,
• wherein said closed cell has side walls,
• wherein said closed cell has a window through which the coherent beam can enter to irradiate the gas inside the closed cell, and
• wherein said closed cell is tilted with respect to the optical axis along which the coherent beam travels to the window so that the entire coherent beam enters the window and is focused on one of the side walls of said closed cell.