Raman Microscopy as an Aid in Failure Analysis — Examples From the Lab

Extract

Raman spectroscopy, much like the more familiar infrared spectroscopy, reveals chemical information of materials under investigation as a result of molecular vibrations. The result of these techniques, the spectrum, is a chemical "fingerprint" allowing for material identification. While infrared microscopy is well known and well established in the industrial laboratory setting, Raman microscopy has only recently begun a resurgence as a result of technological advances. These include advances in lasers, optical filters (notch filters), and CCD detector technologies.