The high specificity of the data produced means that Raman spectroscopy is playing an increasingly significant role in material identification and characterisation. When combined with its ease of sampling and relative portability, it becomes a valuable analytical tool for non-laboratory analyses. This is of particular interest in applications such as forensic, geological or material conservation where in-field measurements are required. There is also an increased requirement to move quality control measurements away from the laboratory and into the warehouse or goods-in depot, particularly in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry.
It is also the case that non-Raman experts are often required to do these analyses and make crucial decisions based on the data produced. This puts an even greater reliance on the quality of the data produced and the decision-making ability of the software used to do the analyses.
The significance and benefits of generating high quality spectral data will be described with examples; obtaining good resolution spectra that cover the full spectral range and with high sensitivity improve the chances of unambiguous material identification, particularly between chemically similar materials.
The sampling advantages that Raman spectroscopy offers will be emphasised. The benefits of using triggered probes for remote analyses of samples through glass or polymer containers will be illustrated. These probes are also ideal for analyses of samples which, by their nature, require in-situ analysis; many geological samples, paintings, or areas of large structures or even toxic or dangerous samples in restricted areas.
Having obtained high quality data, it is important that the maximum usage can be made of it to provide results that the operator can confidently rely on. The benefits of using optimised spectral libraries and chemometric-based material-identification software will be discussed.
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