Raman spectroscopy is spectroscopic technique, which relies on inelastic scattering of monochromatic light from a laser in the visible, near infrared, or near ultraviolet regions. The light from the laser interacts with vibrations in molecules, phonons or other excitations in a system, leading to an energy shift in the laser photons. This shift in energy is thus an indication of the vibrational modes in a system. Raman spectroscopy is widely used in chemistry to anlayze changes in chemical bonding, as vibrational information gives information about chemical bonds and molecular symmetry.
inVia Raman Systems
inVia Raman systems from Renishaw have Raman and photoluminescence capabilities and are extensively used determine if diamonds have been subjected to artificial treatment under high pressure and temperature using the HPHT process to modify the colour and value of the diamonds.
The above images show how Raman imaging can be used for identifying the distribution of stress during impression of type Ib and type IIb diamonds under high temperatures using a cubic boron nitride (CBN) indenter.
Renishaw also offers a custom analysis program (CAP) for quality control services, which allows automatic data collection with the help of integrated complex spectra analysis followed by a 'pass or fail' output.
Applications
Raman spectroscopy can be used in applications such as the following:
- To study how boron influences the mechanical properties of diamond
- For carbon analysis
- For SEM-SCA analysis of single-wall nanotubes
Conclusion
Raman spectroscopy is an indispensable tool in the carbon industry, as it is used in characterization of the chirality and structure and of carbon nanotubes, quality control of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, and quantitative measurements of the oxidation state and thickness and of graphene and related materials.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Renishaw.
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