(64) Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of Geological Samples

     Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the non-destructive identification of materials. Raman spectroscopy makes use of the fact that as a coherent beam of light is scattered off of an object, most of the... [ view full abstract ]

     Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the non-destructive identification of materials. Raman spectroscopy makes use of the fact that as a coherent beam of light is scattered off of an object, most of the scattered light will leave the object at the same energy level that it approached the object in (Rayleigh scattering), but some will leave the object at a higher or lower energy level (Raman scattering). The goal of this project is to successfully attach a Raman spectroscopy apparatus to a compound microscope to enhance Raman spectroscopy capabilities at the University of the South. Previous Raman spectroscopy apparati have been constrained in the types of the materials they can identify because of high fluorescence from the type of laser used. These apparati have also been limited to macroscopic samples, as it is up to the individual user to align the laser onto the target. By changing the type of laser used and also including a 400x magnification digital microscope in the eyepiece of the compound microscope to which we have affixed the Raman apparatus, we solve both of the aforementioned problems. This project is geared towards the identification of geological samples, specifically microscopic (60 microns) clasts in sandstone samples. Additionally, we will use the new micro-Raman system to collect spectra of graphene samples to identify single-layer and multi-layer structures.