Expert Exchange: Raman spectroscopy training
Europlanet 2024 RI’s Expert Exchange Programme aims to support the planetary community to share expertise and best practice, and to prepare new facilities and services. The programme provides funding for short visits (up to one week).
Frédéric Foucher of CBM, CNRS, Orléans (France), visited the team of Barbara Cavalazzi at the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Università di Bologna (Italy), from 8-12 November 2021.
The main objective of this Expert Exchange visit was to provide training on theoretical and practical aspects of Raman micro-spectroscopy and imaging, in order to support development of the Bologna lab facility and to reinforce collaboration between the groups.
Raman spectroscopy is a versatile technique used to detect and identify organic molecules and minerals in many fields of research, from biology to Earth sciences. Advances in miniaturisation of components and the development of Raman microscopy imaging has led to its use in multiple space exploration missions. NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has been exploring the surface of Mars since February 2021, is equipped with two Raman spectrometers (SuperCam and SHERLOC) and the future ESA-ROSCOSMOS ExoMars 2022 mission will carry the Raman Laser Spectrometer instrument. Raman spectroscopy is a key instrument for astrobiology to study ancient and active traces of life on Earth, and to detect possible traces of life on Mars.
Recently, a team led by Barbara Cavalazzi at the University of Bologna acquired a WITec Alpha 300 Raman microscope, which will be used to study materials of astrobiological interest as well as for more general geological and biological applications. Frédéric Foucher has been in charge of a WITec Alpha 500RA since January 2009, and was one of the first researchers to use a WITec system in Europe. Now recognized as a specialist, he published several articles and book chapters on this technique during the last decade.
During the expert exchange, Frédéric gave theoretical and hands on training for 20 researchers, students and technicians.
Expert Exchange Objectives covered by this visit: Improvements to Infrastructure, Training for Transnational Access, Early Career Support.
Find out more about the Europlanet Expert Exchange Programme.
Next Call For Europlanet Expert Exchange Programme
The final call for the Europlanet 2024 RI Expert Exchange Programme closed on Wednesday 17 January 2024. Visits should take place between 1 February and 15 May 2024.