Raman Investigations of Polyatomic Molecules in the Liquid State Using Picosecond Light Pulses

Abstract

With modern Laser-Raman spectrometers it is readily possible to measure Raman transitions with high accuracy. In spite of substantial progress in recent years basic problems remain. First of all, it is difficult to separate the Raman band of interest from the background made up of other neighboring or weak underlying Raman transitions. In polyatomic molecules there exist numerous overtones and combination modes which contribute — possibly enhanced by Fermi resonance — to the observed scattered intensity. Additional weaker transitions may be burried under the main Raman bands giving rise to distortion of the band profile.