Abstract

Raman scattering involves the detection of inelastic light scattering resulting from molecular vibrations. Industrial applications of this technique are growing in areas such as process and quality control, materials characterization and reliability, biodetection and environmental and industrial hygiene monitoring. Small, as well as large samples of inorganic and organic compounds, biomolecules, polymers, films, and surfaces, may be investigated using Raman. Samples, which may be solid, gaseous, or liquid, are easily prepared and aqueous solutions may be examined. Instrumentation utilizes visible or near-infrared laser sources, modern dispersive spectrographs or interferometers, fiber-optic and/or microprobes, and highly sensitive detection systems.