Technical Development of Raman Spectroscopy: From Instrumental to Advanced Combined Technologies

Abstract

Raman-based techniques have developed into excellent analytical tools in various research fields, primarily due to their noninvasive sampling capability, minimal sample preparation, and short analysis time. Major improvements in lasers, spectrometers, detectors, and holographic optical components have made Raman spectroscopy an effective tool for analyzing natural and synthetic materials. This article presents a short introduction to Raman spectroscopy and several recently related advances, including, Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, Raman sensing, and stand-off Raman spectroscopy techniques. Other topics discussed in this article are the importance of its combination with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF).

Keywords:

• Raman spectroscopy
• instrumentation
• advanced techniques
• laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
• laser-induced fluorescence
• stand-off Raman

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial support from National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipments Development Special Funds (No. 2011YQ030113), National Recruitment Program of Global Experts (NRPGE), the Hundred Talents Program of Sichuan Province (HTPSP), and the Startup Funding of Sichuan University for setting up the Research Center of Analytical Instrumentation.