Raman spectroscopy
Quick Summary
Raman spectroscopy is a technique used to study the vibrational and rotational motion of molecules. It is based on the Raman effect, discovered by Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
When light interacts with molecules, most of it is scattered unchanged (Rayleigh scattering). However, a small portion of the light can gain or lose energy from the molecule's vibrations or rotations, resulting in scattered light of different wavelengths. These frequency shifts, known as Raman shifts, are characteristic of the specific molecule and provide a unique "fingerprint" for its identification.
Raman spectroscopy can be used to analyze solids, liquids, and gases and is a valuable complement to other spectroscopic techniques, offering insights into molecular structure and composition. It is particularly useful for studying molecules that lack permanent dipole moments, which are not easily analyzed by infrared spectroscopy.
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