Raman Spectroscopy Of Molecules Adsorbed On Solid Surfaces

Unenhanced surface Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be an exceptionally powerful probe of the structures and reactions of molecules on a wide variety of solid surfaces which include metals, semiconductors and dielectrics. Its advantages include high spectral and spatial resolution, a wide spectral range and the important ability to probe through nonvacuum ambient phases. The last characteristic is especially relevant to the characterization of thin films under actual growth conditions. We review here the basic elements of the surface Raman experiment, including experimental conditions and selection rules and illustrate its capabilities as an in situ diagnostic tool with examples from electrochemistry and polymer thin film synthesis.