Microsystem 671 nm light source for shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy.

We present a compact wavelength stabilized diode laser system at 671 nm on a micro-optical bench as a light source for shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS). The laser system consists of two broad-area gain media in separate laser cavities using two reflection Bragg gratings with slightly different center wavelengths. A spectral width below 100 pm and a constant wavelength shift of 0.57 +/- 0.06 nm is obtained up to output powers of 250 mW. The suitability of this light source for SERDS is demonstrated using Raman spectra of ethanol with increasing concentrations of Cresyl Violet as the fluorescent contaminant.