A novel high-throughput Raman spectrometer for polarization difference measurements

• Published in: Journal of Raman spectroscopy Vol. 30; no. 9; pp. 841 - 852
• Main Authors: Hug, Werner, Hangartner, Gilbert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.09.1999
• ISSN: 0377-0486; 1097-4555
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4555(199909)30:9<841::AID-JRS456>3.0.CO;2-1

A Raman backscattering instrument which, for the first time, takes full advantage of the enormous étendue of modern holographic transmission grating spectrographs in single sample measurements is described. Developed primarily as the basic design of a new generation of Raman optical activity spectrometers, it inherently has the capability also to measure precisely and rapidly the degree of circularity of scattered light, and thus reversal coefficients. Its novel dual‐channel design allows the simultaneous measurement of right and left circular scattered light and drastically reduces sensitivity to particulate matter and thermal Schlieren in the sample. As examples the rapid and precise measurement of the degree of circularity of optically inactive substances and of the vibrational Raman optical activity of D‐carnitine·HCl is presented. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.