Raman spectroscopy is a technique that has made its way into a great deal of new industries and shown a lot of promise in all kinds of scientific questions. How It WorksTouchRaman probes and other tools that use Raman spectroscopy technology gather information about elements at the micron level. Typically, a monochromatic light is focused upon the subject material. The laser beam will scatter in a unique pattern depending on the material it hits. Observing the scatter enables scientists to identify the substance or substances being observed, their degree of concentration, and other properties. The technique -- which is actually a collection of closely related measurement strategies -- is so called because of the Raman effect, which is where electromagnetic waves collide with a molecule and affect its bonds. In this case, a predictable wave of light is applied, making it easier to interpret the outcome. ApplicationsThe most common use of TouchRaman spectroscopy is in the field of chemistry because it collects its data from interacting with chemical bonds. However, its uses are wide-ranging. In the pharmaceutical field, specialized devices like TouchRaman probes are utilized to measure active ingredients in drugs, and what form those ingredients take at the molecular level. TouchRaman devices like these can also be useful in physics to determine the molecular state of substances, as well as measure their temperature. Some TouchRaman probes are even capable of compiling information regarding caustic substances that would normally do damage to the measuring tool. Spatially Offset Raman SpectroscopyAnother type of Raman spectroscopy, called "spatially offset Raman spectroscopy," is able to ignore surface layers and can be employed to, for example, identify counterfeit drugs without disturbing their containing packages. They can also be employed to monitor biological tissue, like an ultrasound. Research projects are in progress to determine if different TouchRaman and similar devices can be employed to identify the presence of explosive substances from a distance, and even to discern whether individual living cells are cancerous, potentially making surgery much safer and more precise, boosting favorable prognoses considerably. MicrospectroscopyRaman spectroscopy can be employed to examine polymers, proteins, and forensics evidence on a microscopic level. Lab techs can even use it to analyze the amount of cholesterol or other substances in foodstuffs. CustomizationWhile manufacturers such as raman analyis sometimes sell premade TouchRaman and similar devices to pharmaceutical, academic and government laboratories, those manufacturers are also capable of specializing and constructing devices ideally suited to the measurement and observation requirements of the purchaser.