With Raman spectroscopy, scientists can measure, with a great deal of precision, the densities and other attributes of matter in any phase (gas, liquid or solid). Its potential uses have shown an increasing amount of promise in an optimistic number of industries. Understanding the TechnologyTouchRaman probes and various other devices that use Raman spectroscopy technology gather information about objects at the micron scope. Usually, a monochromatic light is focused upon the object that is being measured. The laser beam will refract uniquely depending on the material it hits. Observing the scatter enables technicians to identify the substance or substances being looked at, their level of density, and other traits. The technique -- which is actually a series of different measurement approaches -- is so called because of the Raman effect, wherein electromagnetic waves hit a molecule and interact with its bonds. In this case, a coherent wave of light is applied, making it easier to interpret the end result. How It Is UsedTouchRaman spectroscopy is most often used in chemistry because it gets its information from reacting to chemical bonds. However, its uses are wide-ranging. Pharmaceutical researchers use custom tools such as TouchRaman probes to identify active ingredients in drugs, and what form those ingredients have at the molecular level. TouchRaman instruments such as these can also be invaluable in physics to determine the molecular state of materials, as well as measure their temperature. Some TouchRaman probes are even capable of gathering information regarding caustic materials that would normally do damage to the measuring tool. Spatially Offset Raman SpectroscopyAnother kind of Raman spectroscopy, called "spatially offset Raman spectroscopy," is less sensitive to surface layers and can be utilized to, for instance, identify counterfeit drugs without disturbing their containing packages. They can also be utilized to monitor biological cells, like an ultrasound. Experiments are in the making to see if different TouchRaman and similar instruments can be utilized to identify the presence of explosive materials from a distance, and even to test whether individual cells in the body are cancerous, which could make surgery considerably less dangerous and more precise, boosting favorable prognoses. MicrospectroscopyRaman spectroscopy can be utilized to look at minerals, cells, and forensics evidence on a microscopic level. Technicians can even utilize it to determine the amount of cholesterol or other substances in foodstuffs. CustomizationWhile manufacturers such as Industrial O2 Sensors sometimes sell premade TouchRaman and similar devices to pharmaceutical, academic and government laboratories, those manufacturers are also able to customize and construct instruments optimally attuned to the measurement and observation requirements of the purchaser.
