RAMAN-SPECTROMETRY USED FOR ANALYZING MATERIALS OF INTEREST TO INDUSTRY

The Raman effect is the basis for the development of high-performance techniques for the qualitative or complementary quantitative analysis of infrared absorption. After a brief review of the physical principles of the method, the different aspects concerning analytical applications are reviewed. The principal methods used to overcome the drawbacks due to fluorescence are described. Emphasis is placed on the possibilities of local nondestructive analysis of different materials with a spatial resolution of about one micrometer, i.e. for sample masses of 10(-9) to 10(-12) grams, as well as on confocal microscopy, imaging and the extension of the near infrared.