Metadata definition and database implementation for searchable Raman-spectroscopy data handling

Optical nanoscale metrological techniques like Raman spectroscopy produce large amounts of data, especially if employed as a default characterisation tool in industrial production lines. Proper management of huge amounts of data is needed, in order to allow for their further use in data analysis, automatization or in machine learning applications. The definition of metadata and the design of the database structure are paramount in these contexts. This work presents the prototype development of such data management system, showcasing effective data and metadata management in compliance with EU defined standards for scientific research. The data handling of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) measurements is used as a benchmark. Metadata and data format definitions as well as the database structure implementation are described.