Raman Spectroscopy and their use

 When questioning the unknown, Raman spectroscopy is the go-to!

Raman Spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool in the study of molecular structure. Though traditionally used in chemistry, this technique is becoming increasingly employed in other scientific fields such as biochemistry, food science and environmental science. Raman spectroscopy operates on the principle of inelastic scattering of photons by molecules. This physical phenomenon enables the characterization of molecular structures and can be used to differentiate between compounds of similar molecular makeup.

 

At the heart of Raman Spectroscopy is the inelastic scattering process which occurs when radiation is directed at a sample. During this process, some part of the radiation energy is shifted to and from the molecules, thus resulting in the emission of secondary radiation with a different energy. This is what is referred to as the Raman shift, and the intensity and frequency of the radiation indicate the type of molecular structure which is present.

 

The intensity of the Raman shift is proportional to the number of molecules, thus allowing sample concentrations to be calculated. Additionally, the scattered radiation can be used to determine the type of vibration that is present, thus enabling the identification of weak activity in molecules which are otherwise asymptomatic to conventional methods of analysis.

 

Raman spectroscopy can also be used to obtain temporal changes in species concentration through the measurement of fluctuations in the peak area of the Raman shift. This technique is often used in industrial processes, such as drug synthesis and the optimization of reactants and products. Additionally, it can identify impurities and provide insight into the structure of complex molecules, which can be utilized in the development of new active materials.

 

In conclusion, Raman Spectroscopy is a versatile, powerful tool for the detection and identification of molecules in a range of different fields. The frequency, intensity and shifting of photons provided by the Elastic Scattering process offers a detailed insight into the structure of the molecules that have been analysed, and is an invaluable resource for scientists and chemical engineers.

Using in Gemstones Identification: 

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool that is mainly used to identify gemstones due to its capability of providing detailed information about the molecular structure of the gemstone sample. This technique utilizes the Raman effect which is the inelastic scattering of light by molecules; this creates a unique spectral signature for each gemstone sample that can be used to identify the gemstone.

Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique where a gemstone sample is illuminated with a laser light beam and the Raman signal is then collected and analyzed. This process usually takes a few minutes and does not require any sample preparation. It is a very convenient technique as it does not require any special training or additional materials and can be used to quickly identify the gemstone sample.

Due to the unique Raman signal of each mineral sample, Raman spectroscopy has the ability to identify the components of a gemstone sample with great accuracy. A standard Raman spectrometer used for gemstone identification has a wavelength range that is specific for identifying gemstone-type molecules. This allows the determination of the composition of a gemstone sample with very high accuracy – something that cannot be achieved by other methods relying on visual examination.

Furthermore, this technique can be utilized to differentiate between natural and synthetic gems. Natural gemstones have a unique Raman signal when compared to synthetic gemstones, thus they can be distinguished using Raman spectroscopy. This allows gemstone dealers to easily differentiate between natural and synthetic gemstones, and improve the quality of gemstone products being purchased.

Finally, Raman spectroscopy is an extremely useful tool for gemstone identification. It provides accurate information about the molecular structure and composition of each gemstone sample, without any destruction of the sample. It is also capable of distinguishing between natural and synthetic gemstones, with much higher accuracy than possible with visual examinations. Thus, this technique has become a standard tool used in the gemstone buying industry, and has been proven to be an incredibly useful tool for identifying gemstones.