Materials analysis using confocal Raman microscopy

The recent development of Raman microscopes with high optical throughput an d very sensitive CCD cameras has led to Raman spectroscopy again competing effectively with FTIR methods for materials analysis. Modem Raman instrumen ts, designed to operate confocally without serious alignment or energy trad e-off problems, allow depth profiling of optically transparent polymers and polymer matrices to be routinely obtained with a spatial resolution of 1-2 mu m. The use of such an instrument is illustrated by describing recent wo rk on polymeric material problems including, 1 The distribution and redistribution of small molecules in polymeric matri ces. 2 The monitoring of adhesion primer diffusion at a polymer/silica interface . 3 The determination of the extent of interdiffusion and interaction at a po lymer/polymer interface. 4 A comparison of confocal and micotoming approaches to polymer laminate an alysis. The range of possible applications is increasing rapidly. It is clear that Raman microscopy will become a very important tool for future materials ana lysis, both in the polymer area and many other areas.