Raman Microscopy: Developments and Applications

This book describes Raman microscopy and its applications to the analysis of materials. It contains ten chapters contributed by eighteen authors. The editors and authors are all eminent Raman microscopists and many of them have a link with the Raman group at Lille which led the field in the infancy of this technique. There are contributions from Professors Delhaye and Dhamelincourt, who were responsible (along with Dr Etz in the USA) for the discovery and public scientific awareness of the potential of the subject over 20 years ago. At that time, the marriage of one of the oldest pieces of scientific apparatus, the microscope, to one of the newest, the visible laser, was completely novel in concept. Early successes in the application of the new technique of Raman microscopy and, in particular, molecular Raman probing and imaging (microprobing) to solid-state samples were evident. Improvements and developments of the early systems were soon forthcoming, and now there are CCD- and FT-Raman microscopes operating in the visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, with improved detectors and imaging devices which have opened up novel areas of application in biological science, biomedical diagnostics and in art and historical materials conservation. The development of Raman microscopy is thoroughly covered and a useful introduction to the principles of Raman spectroscopy, Raman microanalysis and the design concepts of micro-Raman instrumentation is included. The text is well written for the newcomer and there are many examples of the applications of the technique to materials analysis, with balanced comments on the strengths and limitations of the techniques. For experienced Raman spectroscopists, the critical evaluation of optical coupling and component design requirements and their effect on the microanalytical performance behaviour of the instruments is especially valuable. This book will be useful to a broad range of practising analysts and spectroscopists, who will find the literature up-to-date and extremely useful. Each chapter presents its material in an easily assimilated way without too much emphasis being given to detailed, comprehensive coverage. This recommends the book to potential new practitioners, who may then best assess the evaluation of the technique for their own applications. For example, chapter 5 considers combined microprobe analytical techniques, e.g. Raman/LMMS and Raman/XRD/EM. On balance, this book does an excellent task in presenting Raman spectroscopy to a multi-faceted scientific audience. The many examples cited will interest workers in a wide range of fields, from solid-state physics (high- superconductors) to biological scientists (studies of single cells). This book is highly recommended for purchase and will quickly become a classic of its type.