A large variety of spectroscopic techniques are available for the analysis of materials and chemicals. Among these is Raman spectroscopy.
Raman spectroscopy is based on the Raman effect which has been discovered by experiments of Sir C. V. Raman in 1928. In 1930, Sir Raman received the Nobel price for this discovery. This relies on Raman scattering of light by a material, where the light is scattered inelastically as opposed to the more prominent elastic Rayleigh scattering. This inelastic scattering causes shifts in wavelength, which can then be used to deduce information about the material. Properties of the material can be determined by analysis of the spectrum, and/or it may be compared with a library of known spectra to identify a substance. Since the discovery of Raman scattering in the 1920s, technology has progressed such that Raman spectroscopy is now an extremely powerful technique with many applications.
Nowdays, Raman spectroscopy is getting more and more important. It grows strongly into different areas of life by recent developments in laser technology, more sensitive detectors, robust spectrometer optics, and, last but not least, through its easy use.
[References: University of Cambridge – Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS)]