Novel applications of Raman microscopy

Abstract

Raman microscopy is rapidly becoming established as a valuable non-destructive method for examination and chemical analysis of microscopic samples. The technique uses microscope optics to focus laser light onto a sample and to collect the inelastic (Raman) scattered photons which result. This Ram an scattered light provides a vibrational spectrum of the sample with a typical spatial resolution of around 2 pm. By using this technique, high-temperature corrosion films formed in sulphur and oxygen containing atmospheres on titanium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum, zirconium, chromium, iron and 20/50/N b stainless steel, have been characterized. In addition, the nature of a corrosion-inhibition complex formed on copper has been determined in situ and the mode of interaction of the e p lubricant additive, mercaptobenzothiazole, has been investigated by using the sers effect. Studies of optical fibres, semiconductor films and lubricant films in rolling elastohydrodynamic contacts further illuminate the wide applicability of this technique