HIGH RESOLUTION RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY OF GASES: I. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

Abstract

An apparatus for obtaining intense Raman spectra of gases excited by the Hg 4358 line is described. It consists of a mirror-type Raman tube irradiated by two high-current mercury lamps, completely enclosed in a reflector of magnesium oxide. The lamps are externally water-cooled along their entire length and emit sharp lines of high intensity.Rotational Raman spectra of gases at a pressure of 1 atm. have been photographed in the second order of a 21 ft. grating in exposure times of 6 to 24 hr. The Raman lines are sharp and a resolving power of about 100,000 has been achieved. It will be possible to resolve the rotational Raman spectra, and hence to evaluate the rotational constants of molecules having moments of inertia of up to 300 × 10−10 gm. cm.2 Such investigations will be especially useful for non-polar molecules.