Resonance Raman enhancement optimization in the visible range by selecting different excitation wavelengths

Resonance enhancement of Raman spectroscopy (RS) has been used to significantly improve the sensitivity and selectivity of detection for specific components in complicated environments. Resonance RS gives more insight into the biochemical structure and reactivity. In this field, selecting a proper excitation wavelength to achieve optimal resonance enhancement is vital for the study of an individual chemical/biological ingredient with a particular absorption characteristic. Raman spectra of three azo derivatives with absorption spectra in the visible range are studied under the same experimental conditions at 488, 532, and 633 nm excitations. Universal laws in the visible range have been concluded by analyzing resonance Raman (RR) spectra of samples. The long wavelength edge of the absorption spectrum is a better choice for intense enhancement and the integrity of a Raman signal. The obtained results are valuable for applying RR for the selective detection of biochemical constituents whose electronic transitions take place at energies corresponding to the visible spectra, which is much friendlier to biologial samples compared to ultraviolet.