Columns | Column: Molecular Spectroscopy Workbench

How the behavior of polarized Raman spectra can elucidate the microscopic structure of fibers

Here, real spectra illustrate how to be your own critic when evaluating band-fitted spectra.

Micro-Raman spectroscopy has been used to depth-profile a waveguide produced by an ion-exchange reaction in a single crystal of a ferroelectric metal oxide, and to reveal the changes in chemical bonding and atomic structure that occur in this process.

The interpretation of Raman spectra is discussed for a series of functionalized celluloses.

Polarization/orientation micro-Raman spectroscopy promises to be an important analytical tool to complement micro-X-ray diffraction.

Raman has a unique capability to characterize nanoscale materials that are between crystalline and amorphous.

How can you navigate the maze of choices for detecting molecular vibrations with mid-infrared (IR), near IR (NIR), and visible (Raman)? Understanding what is being measured, how it is measured, and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, will help.

Raman spectroscopy can be used to measure the vibrational spectra of both organic and inorganic materials.

Graphene has potential applications ranging from computer monitors to solar cells, and Raman spectroscopy is a useful method for its characterization.

Fran Adar examines the program at ICORS 2010, providing a sense of how applications and instrumentation are driving each other in the field of Raman research.

The experimental determination of the depth resolution of a Raman microscope is described.

Cellulosic feedstocks from biological harvests (such as timber, prairie grass, and corn stover) or industrial–urban waste have been proposed as a source for the production of energy in the form of fermentation-produced ethanol biofuel.

Columnist Fran Adar discusses applications for Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy.

In this column, Fran Adar discusses what progress is being made in the application of Raman spectroscopy to studies of disease states and why it is worth the effort to pursue.

In this article, columnist Fran Adar will review the important features of the Raman spectra of these materials and indicate why the extracted information is important for material development and engineering.

Columnist Fran Adar discusses the physical determinants of spatial resolution and developing methods to improve the mapping speeds of Raman images.

Chemical analysts who use spectroscopy to extract molecular information from samples have been following the developments in Raman instrumentation. Vibrational spectroscopy provides detailed molecular information, but Fourier-transform IR has been much easier to use than Raman. Now that Raman equipment is smaller, cheaper, faster, and easier, analysts are interested. Columnist Fran Adar will discuss why.

Columnist Fran Adar discusses surfaced-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The phenomenon is described and the enhancement factors that make it so attractive for analytical purposes are pointed out. In particular, she reviews the state-of-the-art from the point of view of the instrumentation and the robustness of the measurements.

Raman microscopy was developed as a tool for microanalysis complementary to the electron microscope, which enabled identification of the elements in a microspot. The first realization for Raman imaging was implemented using a nonconfocal optical method. Subsequently, a confocal scheme was developed, which provided better contrast in the Raman image. A number of successful examples from pathology, pharmaceutical analysis, and geology will be shown.

Columnist Fran Adar discusses the evolution of Raman spectroscopy instrumentation and new applications for this more sensitive, easy-to-use technology.

Guest author Rebecca Bain of SYFT Technologies discusses a new technique for VOC analysis. SIFT-MS can be used successfully in a wide variety of applications, including medical research, shipping container air analysis, laboratory analysis, and air-quality monitoring.

Guest author John Coates describes handheld measurements performed using a palm-sized device that can be used either as an open-ended spectrometer or as a dedicated analyzer.

Guest author Art Springsteen discusses standards for reflection measurements and the issues surrounding this topic.

Guest author John Coates discusses a miniature spectral measurement system that operates as a full spectrum analyzer, a colorimeter, or a multichannel photometer in the form of a spectral engine.

Emil Ciurczak presents his review of the newest and most interesting products in the field of spectroscopy at the 2006 Pittcon Conference.

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) has evolved from a laboratory specialty technique to the foundation for highly sensitive and specific gas-phase sensors for the process environment. This article discusses two recently developed products, a portable trace gas monitor, and a water vapor flow sensor.

Guest author John Coates describes a new, compact handheld Raman instrument.

Attendees from the pharmaceutical industry and FDA discussed a range of topics, including new spectroscopic analysis techniques, chemical imaging, calibration, and current efforts at ASTM.

Maligned by early design issues, the polarization interferometer has not been a significant tool in many analysts' arsenals. New technical improvements could change that.

Recent advances in thin-film filter technology have enabled dramatic improvements in the performance of filters for laser-based analytical instrumentation.