Raman spectra show a sharp peak at the central energy, but also show additional sidebands due to the spontaneous Raman effect. Towards higher energy, they are called Stokes bands; towards lower energy, they are called anti-Stokes bands A beam can be focused to a smaller point in Raman spectroscopy that in IR spectroscopy, so it is useful in some specialized applications. The lines are also sharper, but the signal weaker. Raman spectroscopy is useful for studying fluid and solid inclusions (as long as the sample is colorless) and to study glasses.
Raman Effect, Spontaneous Raman Effect, Stimulated Raman Effect
References
Nakamoto, K. Infrared and Raman Spectra of Inorganic and Coordination Compounds, Part I: Theory and Applications in Inorganic Chemistry. New York: Wiley, 1997.
Nakamoto, K. Infrared and Raman Spectra of Inorganic and Coordination Compounds, Part II: Applications in Coordination, Organometallic, and Bioinorganic Chemistry, 5th ed. New York: Wiley, 1997.
Wilson, E. B. J.; Decius, J. C.; and Cross, P. C. Molecular Vibrations: The Theory of Infrared and Raman Vibrational Spectra. New York: Dover.
