Adding Depolarization Measurements to Raman Spectroscopy

The ability to measure polarization data in a sample can be added to existing Raman spectroscopy arrays by the inclusion of a polarizer. In this project, we add a polarizer with the capacity for rotation to the existing Raman... [ view full abstract ]

The ability to measure polarization data in a sample can be added to existing Raman spectroscopy arrays by the inclusion of a polarizer. In this project, we add a polarizer with the capacity for rotation to the existing Raman spectroscopy array at Middlebury College.  We then take Raman spectra of samples with the polarizer in place over a range of orientations in order to determine the angle of polarization for the polarizer apparatus.   Finally, we take spectra of samples with the polarizer at parallel and perpendicular orientations to the incident light in order determine which Raman peaks within a sample are depolarizable relative to one another.