Raman Spectroscopy

Question 1

How does Raman scattering arise?

Answer 1

Due to the exchange of energy between light and matter.
Light is from incident laser source. Light is inelastically scattered- shows up as shift in frequency

Question 2

What is a Raman scatter?

Answer 2

Most scattered light is at same wavelengths (or colour) as laser source (no useful info provided- Rayleigh scatter).
Small amount of light scattered at different wavelengths (or colours) which depend on chemical structure of analyte- Raman scatter.

Question 3

What causes the shift in frequency?

Answer 3

Energy from molecular vibrations.

Question 4

What are the axis on Raman spectrum?

Answer 4

Y= intensity X= wavelength difference

Question 5

What is a Raman spectra frequently used as?

Answer 5

A fingerprint

Question 6

What are advantages of Raman spec?

Answer 6

*little sample prep
*good info provided
*aqueous samples can be used

Question 7

What are disadvantages of Raman spec?

Answer 7

*weak effect
*fluorescence interferes
*expensive

Question 8

What is Raman spec used for?

Answer 8

*identify compounds
*monitor reactions eg enzyme inhibition activity
*molecular and polymer interactions