Raman Spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is a molecular spectroscopy based on inelastically scattered light (Raman scattering). This introduction gives you an overview of the theory of Raman spectroscopy and an introduction to the primary components of a Raman spectrometer.

Scientists use Raman spectroscopy to understand more about the make-up of materials, including their chemical composition

InPhotonics is a leading manufacturer of Raman probes, fiber optic Raman spectrometers and sampling accessories for Raman spectroscopy.

Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. is a world leader in spectrographic instrumentation and applied holographic technology. Principal products include Raman sensors and instrumentation; advanced holographic components for spectroscopy, telecommunications, astronomy and ultra-fast sciences.

It is the shift in wavelength of the inelastically scattered radiation that provides the chemical and structural information. Raman shifted photons can be of either higher or lower energy, depending upon the vibrational state of the molecule under study. A simplified energy diagram that illustrates these concepts is shown on the right.

Raman spectroscopy (/ˈrɑːmən/; named after Sir C. V. Raman) is a spectroscopic technique used to observe vibrational, rotational, and other low-frequency modes in a system.[1] Raman spectroscopy is commonly used in chemistry to provide a fingerprint by which molecules can be identified. It relies on inelastic scattering, or Raman scattering, of monochromatic light, usually from a laser in the visible, near infrared, or near ultraviolet range. The laser light interacts with molecular vibrations, phonons or other excitations in the system, resulting in the energy of the laser photons being shifted up or down. The shift in energy gives information about the vibrational modes in the system. Infrared spectroscopy yields similar, but complementary, information.