[Introduction to Raman spectrometry]

The frequency shift observed when light is scattered by molecules is called Raman effect. Raman spectroscopy like infrared spectroscopy is a method of studying molecular vibrations. The two methods are complementary, they both give much informations about the structure of molecules and crystals, the nature of chemical bonds and intermolecular interactions. Infrared absorption is allowed if the vibration is accompanied by a variation of electric dipole moment, however Raman scattering will only be observed if a variation of molecular polarizability appears during the vibration. Symetry properties of molecules of crystals lead to the determination of the number of normal vibrational modes and their Raman or infrared activity. The discovery of Laser light source has permitted a great development of Raman instrumentation. Raman spectrometers can easily record the whole spectrum of molecular vibrations (0-4000 cm-1) of samples in solid, liquid or gazeous state. Very small quantities of material are required (several milligrams). Aqueous solutions are easily investigated. Owing to the easy exploration of the low frequency range by modern spectrometers, new areas are opened in the study of the solid state and polymeric chains. Resonance Raman effect allows the spectra of very dilute solutions to be obtained. With the development of rapid scanning systems and electro-optical spectrometers, study of transients species is now possible. Among the physical analysis methods, Raman spectroscopy is now more and more used, and this technic has already been successfully used in numerous biological and biochemical problems.