What is Raman Spectroscopy?

Raman Spectroscopy is a analysis technique based on the interaction of light on the bonds within the material/sample.  It is used for sample identification by “fingerprinting” as different material will gives different Raman spectrum.  It works by shinning a monochromatic light source (i.e. laser) onto a sample and detecting the subsequence scattered light from the sample which consist mainly of elastic scattered light (Rayleigh scattering) and a very small percentage of inelastic scattered light (Raman scattering).  The Raman scattered light is collected and translated into a Raman spectrum which is unique to different materials.  This spectrum is then compared to a library of spectrum to identify the sample, much like the finger print search in forensic.