High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of the ν1 stretching band of GeD4

The high‐resolution stimulated Raman spectrum of the ν₁ band of GeD₄ with natural isotopic abundance germanium has been recorded. It has been analyzed as part of the ν₁/ν₃ stretching dyad. The ν₁ and ν₃ band centers have been deduced for all the isotopologues. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of the 2ν10 overtone symmetric motion of C2H4

The high‐resolution stimulated Raman spectrum of the 2ν₁₀ band located at 1664.16 cm⁻¹ of C₂H₄ has been reanalyzed, thanks to the tensorial formalism developed in Dijon for X₂Y₄ asymmetric‐top molecules. A total of 191 lines were assigned and fitted as a single band without including perturbations such as Fermi or Coriolis coupling constants. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 8.5 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. Further investigations are required to include interactions with the ν₂ and ν₇ + ν₁₀ bands. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of the ν2 and ν3 bands of C2H4

The high‐resolution stimulated Raman spectra of the ν₂ and ν₃ bands of C₂H₄ have been recorded and analyzed separately by means of the tensorial formalism developed in Dijon and Reims for X₂Y₄ asymmetric‐top molecules. For the ν₂ band, a total of 191 lines were assigned and fitted. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 1.86 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1}. For the ν₃ band analyzed in interaction with the ν₆ infrared band, a total of 185 lines were assigned and fitted. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 1.29 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1}. Both analyses lead to very satisfactory synthetic spectra. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of the ν1, 2ν1–ν1, ν2, 2ν2, and 3ν2–ν2 bands of CF4

The spectra of the ν₁, 2ν₁–ν₁, ν₂, 2ν₂, and 3ν₂–ν₂ bands of CF₄ were obtained with a quasi‐continuous wave stimulated Raman spectrometer. These five bands were studied at a temperature of 135 and 300 K (for the hot bands). The spectrum of ν₁ was obtained at a sample pressure of 2 mbar. For the spectra of the other regions, which are much weaker, higher pressures were used. The analysis has been performed thanks to the xtds and spview softwares developed in Dijon for such highly symmetric molecules. Combining the present results with a previous infrared study, we could determine a very accurate value for the C–F equilibrium bond length, i.e. r_e = 1.31588(6) Å. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of the ν1/ν5 (C–H) stretching dyad of C2H4

The high‐resolution stimulated Raman spectra of the ν₁/ν₅ C–H stretching bands of C₂H₄ have been recorded and analyzed by means of the tensorial formalism developed in Dijon for X₂Y₄ asymmetric‐top molecules. A total of 689 lines (428 for ν₅ and 261 for ν₁) were assigned and fitted as a dyad including Coriolis coupling constants. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 4.39 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1} (4.61 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1} for ν₁, 4.25 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1} for ν₅). The nearby 2ν₂ band, extrapolated from ν₂, was included in the analysis. However, no interaction parameter involving it could be fitted. The analysis is quite satisfactory, although some parts of ν₅ are not very well reproduced, probably indicating some yet unidentified resonances. This region is indeed quite dense, with many interacting dark states that cannot be included at present. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of line positions and assignments for the ν2 and ν3 bands of 13C2H4

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectra of¹³C₂H₄ in the regions of the ν₂ and ν₃ Raman active modes have been recorded at two temperatures (145 and 296 K) based on the quasi continuous‐wave (cw) stimulated Raman spectrometer at Instituto de Estructura de la Materia IEM‐CSIC in Madrid. A tensorial formalism adapted to X₂Y₄ planar asymmetric tops with D_2h symmetry (developed in Dijon) and a program suite called D_2hTDS (now part of the XTDS/SPVIEW spectroscopic software) were proposed to analyze and calculate the high‐resolution spectra. A total of 103 and 51 lines corresponding to ν₂ and ν₃ Raman active modes have been assigned and fitted in wavenumber with a global root mean square deviation of 0.54 × 10⁻³ and 0.36 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹, respectively. Due to the fact that the Raman scattering effect is weak, we did not perform in this contribution the line intensities analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution spectroscopy on an X‐ray absorption beamline

A bent‐crystal spectrometer based on the Rowland circle geometry has been installed and tested on the BM30b/FAME beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility to improve its performances. The energy resolution of the spectrometer allows different kinds of measurements to be performed, including X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering and X‐ray Raman scattering experiments. The simplicity of the experimental device makes it easily implemented on a classical X‐ray absorption beamline. This improvement in the fluorescence detection is of particular importance when the probed element is embedded in a complex and/or heavy matrix, for example in environmental sciences.     

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy on analcime and pollucite in comparison to X‐ray diffraction

Natural and synthetic samples of analcime and pollucite (both zeolites belonging to the analcime group) were studied by means of micro‐Raman spectrometry, X‐ray fluorescence analysis (XFA) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). On knowing the chemical and structural characteristics of each solid‐solution member, the observed shift in the spectral position of the Raman active modes can be explained and used for phase determination. As shown, the distinction between members of the analcime–pollucite solid‐solution series using Raman spectroscopy is significantly more conclusive than the corresponding XRD findings. Also, information about the structurally bound water inside the zeolite structure can be gained using Raman spectroscopy as long as a suitable exciting wavelength is selected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vivo study on the protection of indole‐3‐carbinol (I3C) against the mouse acute alcoholic liver injury by micro‐Raman spectroscopy

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS) was utilized for the first time to evaluate the effect of indole‐3‐carbinol (I3C) on acute alcoholic liver injury in vivo. In situ Raman analysis of tissue sections provided distinct spectra that can be used to distinguish alcoholic liver injury as well as ethanol‐induced liver fibrosis from the normal state. Sixteen mice with liver diseases including acute liver injury and chronic liver fibrosis, and eight mice with normal liver tissues, and eight remedial mice were studied employing the Raman spectroscopic technique in conjunction with biomedical assays. The biochemical changes in mouse liver tissue when liver injury/fibrosis occurs such as the loss of reduced glutathione (GSH), and the increase of collagen (α‐helix protein) were observed by MRS. The intensity ratio of two Raman peaks (I₁₄₅₀/I₆₆₆) and in combination with statistical analysis of the entire Raman spectrum was found capable of classifying liver tissues with different pathological features. Raman spectroscopy therefore is an important candidate for a nondestructive in vivo screening of the effect of drug treatment on liver disease, which potentially decreases the time‐consuming clinical trials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The high‐resolution absorption spectroscopy branch on the VUV beamline DESIRS at SOLEIL

A VUV absorption spectroscopy facility designed for ultra‐high spectral resolution is in operation as a dedicated branch on the DESIRS beamline at Synchrotron SOLEIL. This branch includes a unique VUV Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) and a dedicated versatile gas sample chamber. The FTS instrument can cover a large UV–VUV spectral range from 4 to 30 eV, with an ultimate line width of 0.08 cm^?1 on a large spectral window, ΔE/E = 7%, over which all spectral features can be acquired in a multiplex way. The performance can be considered to be a middle ground between broadband moderate‐resolution spectrometers based on gratings and ultra‐high‐spectral‐resolution VUV tunable‐laser‐based techniques over very narrow spectral windows. The various available gaseous‐sample‐handling setups, which function over a wide range of pressures and temperatures, and the acquisition methodology are described. A selection of experimental results illustrates the performance and limitations of the FTS‐based facility.     

DESIRS: a state‐of‐the‐art VUV beamline featuring high resolution and variable polarization for spectroscopy and dichroism at SOLEIL

DESIRS is a new undulator‐based VUV beamline on the 2.75 GeV storage ring SOLEIL (France) optimized for gas‐phase studies of molecular and electronic structures, reactivity and polarization‐dependent photodynamics on model or actual systems encountered in the universe, atmosphere and biosphere. It is equipped with two dedicated endstations: a VUV Fourier‐transform spectrometer (FTS) for ultra‐high‐resolution absorption spectroscopy (resolving power up to 10⁶) and an electron/ion imaging coincidence spectrometer. The photon characteristics necessary to fulfill its scientific mission are: high flux in the 5–40 eV range, high spectral purity, high resolution, and variable and well calibrated polarizations. The photon source is a 10 m‐long pure electromagnetic variable‐polarization undulator producing light from the very near UV up to 40 eV on the fundamental emission with tailored elliptical polarization allowing fully calibrated quasi‐perfect horizontal, vertical and circular polarizations, as measured with an in situ VUV polarimeter with absolute polarization rates close to unity, to be obtained at the sample location. The optical design includes a beam waist allowing the implementation of a gas filter to suppress the undulator high harmonics. This harmonic‐free radiation can be steered toward the FTS for absorption experiments, or go through a highly efficient pre‐focusing optical system, based on a toroidal mirror and a reflective corrector plate similar to a Schmidt plate. The synchrotron radiation then enters a 6.65 m Eagle off‐plane normal‐incidence monochromator equipped with four gratings with different groove densities, from 200 to 4300 lines mm^?1, allowing the flux‐to‐resolution trade‐off to be smoothly adjusted. The measured ultimate instrumental resolving powers are 124000 (174 µeV) around 21 eV and 250000 (54 µeV) around 13 eV, while the typical measured flux is in the 10¹⁰–10¹¹ photons s^?1 range in a 1/50000 bandwidth, and 10¹²–10¹³ photons s^?1 in a 1/1000 bandwidth, which is very satisfactory although slightly below optical simulations. All of these features make DESIRS a state‐of‐the‐art VUV beamline for spectroscopy and dichroism open to a broad scientific community.     

Structural analysis of xCsCl(1−x)Ga2S3 glasses by means of DFT calculations and Raman spectroscopy

The alkali metal halide doping of gallium‐sulfide glasses yields improvements in the optical, thermal and glass forming properties. To understand these improvements, the short‐range order of xCsCl(1 − x)Ga₂S₃ glasses was probed by Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra have been interpreted using density functional theory (DFT) harmonic frequency calculations on specific clusters of GaS₄H₄ and/or GaS₃H₃Cl tetrahedral subunits. The assignment of the observed vibrational bands confirms the main structural conclusions obtained with X‐ray and neutron diffraction experiments and gives some new insights into the gallium‐network present in the xCsCl(1 − x)Ga₂S₃ glasses. At the lowest concentration, the observed spectrum may be interpreted with small clusters such as dimers and trimers connected by corner‐sharing (CS) GaS₄H₄ tetrahedral subunits. The vibrational fingerprints of tri‐clusters with three‐fold coordinated sulfur atoms have also been identified; however, no Raman signature of chlorine‐doped subunits has been found to be caused by their insufficient intensity. For higher CsCl concentrations, distinct spectral features corresponding to chlorine‐doped clusters appear and are increasing in intensity with x. In other words, undoped and Cl‐doped tetrahedra coexist in the xCsCl(1 − x)Ga₂S₃ glasses. The added chlorine atoms induce a fragmentation of the glass network and replace the sulfur atoms in the CS tetrahedral environment. The comparison of the observed spectra with theoretical predictions and diffraction data favoured one‐fold coordinated chlorine atoms in the glass network. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanomechanics of single keratin fibres: A Raman study of the α‐helix →β‐sheet transition and the effect of water

The use of micro‐Raman spectroscopy, through chemical‐bond, nano‐scale probes, allows the changes in conformations (α‐helix →β‐sheet), chain orientation, breakage of disulfide bonds (20%) and the increase of intra‐ and inter‐chain distances during the application of stress to be distinguished. The combination of micro‐Raman spectroscopy and a Universal Fibre Tester allows a quantitative measurement of the extension of chemical bonds in the peptide chain during loading. The nano‐structural transformations of keratin during strain of human hair in a dry environment (40–60% relative humidity) and saturated with water have been studied. Water permits the sliding of the chains and decreases the bond energy of the hair. Spectral analyses and 2D correlation are two coherent and independent methods to follow the structural nano‐mechanical (Raman) and micro‐mechanical (strain/stress) analyses, and confirm the validity of the experimental results, tools and principles used, as well as the agreement with the structural model of keratin fibres described by Chapman and Hearle. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Self‐assembly and structure formation in liquid crystalline phthalocyanine thin films studied by Raman spectroscopy and AFM

This work presents an investigation of films prepared by doctor blade casting, the formation of self‐assembled microstructures of a liquid crystalline phthalocyanine with highly oriented molecules. Raman Spectroscopy in combination with atomic force microscopy is applied to study the structures within the films. By keeping the substrate at room temperature or at 353 K during coating, different geometric structures namely rods and islands form. Rod‐like structures are growing in coating direction, whereas directional growth of the islands is not observed. The distribution of the rod lengths varies widely, whereas the width appears more uniform. Annealing of the samples shows a different behavior of the two textures. Islands tend to melt, and rods smooth their structural form, which is extracted from Raman imaging in combination with atomic force microscopy. Additionally, Raman imaging gives insight into laterally different relative crystallinity. These observations are discussed in the context of the molecular orientation as probed by polarized Raman spectroscopy. These polarized Raman spectra indicate azimuthal alignment of the molecules within the rods (edge on alignment). This alignment occurs along and also perpendicular to the growth direction. In contrast to the alignment in the rods, the molecules inside the islands occurring at higher temperature do not show preferential molecular orientation. After annealing, no preferential molecular orientation is observed in rods because of the loss of anisotropy, too. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time‐resolved Raman studies on Al2O3: Cr3+: lifetime measurements of the excited‐state transition Ē → 2Ā

A time‐resolved intensified charge coupled device‐based Raman microspectrometer system dedicated to the study of solid samples is described, offering good optical, temporal and spatial resolution. The advantages of this approach are demonstrated on Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺, obtaining for the first time the temporal evolution of the excited state transition Ē → 2Ā. Moreover, the time dependence of the luminescence due to the chromium ion was also determined by the same Raman device. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The dedicated high‐resolution grazing‐incidence X‐ray scattering beamline 8‐ID‐E at the Advanced Photon Source

As an increasingly important structural‐characterization technique, grazing‐incidence X‐ray scattering (GIXS) has found wide applications for in situ and real‐time studies of nanostructures and nanocomposites at surfaces and interfaces. A dedicated beamline has been designed, constructed and optimized at beamline 8‐ID‐E at the Advanced Photon Source for high‐resolution and coherent GIXS experiments. The effectiveness and applicability of the beamline and the scattering techniques have been demonstrated by a host of experiments including reflectivity, grazing‐incidence static and kinetic scattering, and coherent surface X‐ray photon correlation spectroscopy. The applicable systems that can be studied at 8‐ID‐E include liquid surfaces and nanostructured thin films.     

Studies on the resonance Raman spectra of polyaniline obtained with near‐IR excitation

The effects of near‐IR (NIR) laser power over the Raman spectra of poly(aniline) emeraldine salt (PANI‐ES) and base (PANI‐EB) were investigated. The reasons for the existence of several bands from 1324 to 1500 cm⁻¹ in the Raman spectra of poly(aniline) obtained at NIR region were also studied. The bands from 1324 to 1375 cm⁻¹ were associated to νC N of polarons with different conjugation lengths and the bands from 1450 to 1500 cm⁻¹ in Raman spectra of PANI emeraldine and pernigraniline base forms were correlated to νCN modes associated with quinoid units having different conjugation lengths. The increase of laser power at 1064.0 nm causes the deprotonation of PANI‐ES and the formation of cross‐linking segments having phenazine and/or oxazine rings. For PANI‐EB only a small spectral change is observed when the laser power is increased, owing to the low absorption of this form in the NIR region. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New evidences of in situ laser irradiation effects on γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles: a Raman spectroscopic study

The nature of the physical mechanisms responsible for the structural modification of the γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles under laser irradiation has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. In situ micro‐Raman measurements were carried out on as‐prepared γ‐Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles about 4 nm in size as a function of laser power and on annealed γ‐Fe₂O₃ particles. A baseline profile analysis clearly evidenced that the phase transition from maghemite into hematite is caused by local heating due to laser irradiation with an increase of grain size of nanoparticles. This increasing was clearly determined by X‐ray diffraction from 4 nm in nanoparticles up to more than 177 nm beyond 900 °C in a polycrystalline state. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phase Transition and vibration properties of MnCO3 at high pressure and high-temperature by Raman spectroscopy

The high pressure and high-temperature behavior of MnCO₃ was investigated up to 55?GPa at ambient temperature and up to 573?K at ambient pressure by Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Some new modes were detected at ～16 and ～32?GPa, which were assigned to MnCO₃-I below 16?GPa and to MnCO₃-II above 32?GPa, and to a coexisting phase of them in between. The high pressure vibration properties of all Raman modes, especially high frequency modes, were systematically reported. The coexisting phase of MnCO₃-I and MnCO₃-II had much easier compressibility than the MnCO₃-II phase. The thermal stability of MnCO₃ was at least to 573?K and its thermal expansion along the c axis was easier than a and b axes.     

X‐ray spectroscopy for chemistry in the 2‐4 keV energy regime at the XMaS beamline: ionic liquids,Rh and Pd catalysts in gas and liquid environments,and Cl contamination in γ‐Al2O3

The 2–4 keV energy range provides a rich window into many facets of materials science and chemistry. Within this window, P, S, Cl, K and Ca K‐edges may be found along with the L‐edges of industrially important elements from Y through to Sn. Yet, compared with those that cater for energies above ca. 4–5 keV, there are relatively few resources available for X‐ray spectroscopy below these energies. In addition, in situ or operando studies become to varying degrees more challenging than at higher X‐ray energies due to restrictions imposed by the lower energies of the X‐rays upon the design and construction of appropriate sample environments. The XMaS beamline at the ESRF has recently made efforts to extend its operational energy range to include this softer end of the X‐ray spectrum. In this report the resulting performance of this resource for X‐ray spectroscopy is detailed with specific attention drawn to: understanding electrostatic and charge transfer effects at the S K‐edge in ionic liquids; quantification of dilution limits at the Cl K‐ and Rh L₃‐edges and structural equilibria in solution; in vacuum deposition and reduction of [Rh^I(CO)₂Cl]₂ to γ‐Al₂O₃; contamination of γ‐Al₂O₃ by Cl and its potential role in determining the chemical character of supported Rh catalysts; and the development of chlorinated Pd catalysts in `green' solvent systems. Sample environments thus far developed are also presented, characterized and their overall performance evaluated.