Raman Spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique based on the inelastic scattering of light (Raman scattering) that allows microscopic examination of minerals and other materials. Excited by monochromatic light (laser), the specimen emits scattered light showing different frequencies than the laser light in the spectrum (Raman bands). The differences in the frequencies (Raman-shift) contain vibrational information of molecules in the specimen, and by that of its composition and structure. The instrument is a Raman spectrometer LabRAM HR 800 (HORIBA Jobin Yvon) which is equipped with a confocal microscope BX41 (Olympus) with white light illumination for observation in transmitted and reflected mode.