Raman Spectroscopy Using a Green HeNe Laser: A Chemical Physics Laboratory Experiment
Abstract
Although the green HeNe laser has been commercially available for about twenty years, it has been ignored in the development of laser experiments in college physics and physical chemistry laboratory courses. The green HeNe laser (543.365 nm) combines the wavelength advantage of the Ar+ and Nd:YAG lasers while retaining the cost advantage and ease of operation that has made the red HeNe a favorite in teaching laboratories. Raman spectroscopy is rarely explored in teaching laboratories, largely because of the belief that expensive equipment is required and that signals will be too low. Here we present the Raman spectra of several neat organic liquids and of aqueous ions that were obtained using a 2 mW green HeNe laser as the excitation source. The spectra are generally of high quality and dispel the myth of poor signal levels. Simple plastic film polarizers have performed adequately in obtaining polarized spectra. Suggestions for laboratory activities are presented.
- Publication:
-
APS Ohio Sections Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- October 1999
- Bibcode:
- 1999APS..OSF..BA13A