Method and apparatus for conducting Raman spectroscopy

A Raman probe assembly for analyzing a specimen, comprising:

• a light source for generating laser excitation light;
• a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature;
• a light path for (i) delivering the laser excitation light from the light source to the specimen so as to produce the Raman signature for the specimen, and (ii) directing the Raman signature of the specimen to the light analyzer;
• and
• a probe body housing at least a portion of the light path, the probe body comprising:
• a window configured such that the light path extends through the window;
• and
• a shutter/wiper disposed adjacent to the window, the shutter/wiper having a first position in which the shutter-wiper covers the window and a second position in which the window is exposed, the shutter/wiper operable to remove debris from a surface of the window.

A method for identifying the nature of a specimen, the method comprising:

• providing a Raman probe assembly comprising:
• a light source for generating laser excitation light;
• a camera for capturing an image;
• a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature;
• a light path for (i) delivering the laser excitation light from the light source to the specimen so as to produce the Raman signature for the specimen, (ii) capturing an image of the specimen and directing that image to the camera, and (iii) directing the Raman signature of the specimen to the light analyzer
• wherein the assembly further comprises a probe body for housing the at least a portion of the light path, and a window, with the light path extending through the window;
• wherein the probe body further comprises a shutter/wiper disposed adjacent to the window;
• wherein the assembly is carried by a remote controlled robot;
• providing a base station for receiving the image, and for remotely controlling the robot, and for receiving information from the light analyzer;
• navigating the remote control robot from the base station to a position adjacent to the specimen;
• opening the shutter/wiper;
• using the camera to aim the probe body at the specimen;
• energizing the light source so that the laser excitation light is directed at the specimen;
• and analyzing the return light passed to the light analyzer so as to determine the nature of the specimen.