Rayleighspectroscopie

Rayleigh spectroscopy, also known as Raman spectroscopy, is an analytical technique used to study the vibrational, rotational, and other low-frequency modes of molecules. It relies on the inelastic scattering of photons by molecules, a phenomenon discovered by C.V. Raman. When monochromatic light, typically from a laser, interacts with a sample, most of the light is scattered elastically (Rayleigh scattering) with no change in wavelength. However, a small fraction of the light is scattered inelastically, with a change in wavelength. This inelastic scattering is called Raman scattering.

The energy difference between the incident photons and the Raman-scattered photons corresponds to the vibrational energy levels of the molecules in the sample. By analyzing the spectrum of scattered light, which shows the intensity of scattered light as a function of the wavelength shift (Raman shift), one can identify the molecular components of the sample. Each molecule has a unique Raman spectrum, making it a powerful tool for chemical identification and characterization.

Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique and can be used for a wide range of samples, including solids, liquids, and gases. It can be performed with minimal sample preparation and is sensitive to molecular structure and bonding. Applications of Rayleigh spectroscopy are found in various fields, including chemistry, physics, materials science, pharmaceuticals, and forensics. It is used for identifying unknown substances, studying chemical reactions, analyzing material composition, and detecting impurities.