EMU Volume 12 – Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Raman effect and the vibrational dynamics of molecules and crystalline solids
Fernando Rull

This chapter is devoted to the theoretical aspects involved in the matter–radiation interaction process leading to the observed Raman spectra. These aspects include the description of the Raman effect as well as the principles of molecular vibrations. The first part is devoted to the Raman cross section which is the key parameter in understanding the spectral intensities and it is discussed in terms of the classical and quantum mechanical frameworks. The properties of the polarizability tensor are described in detail including polarization effects and selections rules.

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