Low frequency Raman and Brillouin scattering detection with VIPA-grating 2D dispersion spectrometer

A 2D dispersion spectrometer based on a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) etalon and a diffraction grating has been built and characterized for Brillouin and low frequency Raman (LFR) scattering detection. With the spectral resolution offered by the VIPA etalon, the 2D dispersion spectrometer can detect Brillouin and LFR scattering with a resolution less than 500 MHz (0.017 cm-1) and a minimum of 100 cm-1 spectral range. Here we demonstrated detections of Brillouin and LFR scattering from multiple materials. This dual-functional spectrometer can acquire mechanical properties and probe the intermolecular interactions of a sample.