State of the Art Microanalysis Using Raman Microscopy

Introduction Raman spectroscopy is one of the most common techniques for materials identification and characterization. Based on inelastic scattering of a monochromatic excitation source, Raman measures vibrational, rotational and other low-frequency modes in a system. It’s not only characteristic for functional groups, but also sensitive to backbone and crystalline structures. Therefore, Raman technique finds extensive applications in various fields including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, polymers, forensics, cultural heritage & art, life science, mineralogy, materials science and so on. Especially for a system that requires microanalysis, Raman spectroscopy offers further advantages such as minimum sample consumption, minimal sample preparation, sub-micron spatial resolution, confocal measurement and many more. Senterra Raman microscope is a compact system that combines numerous novel and patented features. Controlled by the user friendly OPUS software that incorporates wizard guided measurement and interactive 3D display and evaluation tools, microanalysis was made easy and fun. In this paper, some unique applications of Raman microscopy are presented and discussed.