Raman Effect
Definition
Inelastic scattering of monochromatic light by a molecule. The scattered photon is shifted in wavelength by an amount equal to a vibrational quantum, giving a fingerprint of the molecule's bond vibrations.
Related terms
- Mutual Exclusion Rule
- For a centrosymmetric molecule (one with a centre of inversion), a vibration is either IR active or Raman active, never both. This...
- Polarisability
- The ease with which the electron cloud of a molecule deforms in an external electric field. A vibration is Raman active only...
- SERS
- Surface-enhanced Raman scattering. A nanorough gold or silver surface enhances the Raman signal of molecules adsorbed on it by factors of 10^6...
- SORS
- Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy. The collection optics are offset from the laser spot so the detector reads photons that have travelled through...
- Stokes and Anti-Stokes Lines
- Stokes lines (longer wavelength, lower energy than the laser) come from molecules starting in the ground vibrational state; anti-Stokes lines (shorter wavelength,...
Explained in
- Raman Spectroscopy and Comparison with IRInelastic scattering of monochromatic light by a molecule. The scattered photon is shifted in wavelength by an amount equal to a vibrational quantum, giving a...