Using surface enhanced ROA (SEROA), novel results are achieved by combining Raman optical activity (ROA) and resonance surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERRS), applied on myoglobin. The novelty of this work is in reporting for the first time on chiral results of a study performed on a protein at single molecule level. This work, using silver nanoparticles and a laser excitation of 532 nm, only became feasible when the concentrations of nanoparticles, aggregation agent NaCl and the studied molecule were optimized in a series of systematic optimization steps. The spectral analysis has shown that the SERS effect behaves accordingly, depending on the concentration ratio of each component, i.e., myoglobin, Ag colloids and NaCl. Consequently, it is shown here that the SERS intensity has its maximum at a certain concentration of these components, whereas below or above this value the intensity decreases. The optimization results can be considered as a completion of the hitherto known phenomenon 'dilution effect', which only takes account of higher concentrations. Furthermore, the optimization of the parameters seems to be necessary for a successful SEROA measurement, which enables chiral study of a protein at the single molecule level, in which the concentration and acquisition time are no longer an impediment.

For the first time, the differences between the spectra of amphetamine and amphetamine-H + , and between different conformers are thoroughly studied by ab initio model calculations, and Raman and SERS spectra are measured for different species of amphetamine. The spectra of amphetamine and amphetamine-H + samples were obtained and assigned according to a comparison of the experimental spectra and the ab initio MO calculations, performed using the Gaussian 03W program. The analyses were based on complete geometry minimisation of the conformational energy of the S-plus-amphetamine molecule and the S-plus-amphetamine-H + ion. The harmonic frequency calculations provide information about the characteristic features of the Raman spectra and the nature of the bonding in the molecule. It is concluded that vibrational bands from salt anions with internal bonds (sulfates, hydrogen phosphates, etc.) need to be taken into account when employing these spectra for identification purposes. These results also show how Raman spectroscopy can assist the forensic community in drug profiling studies. Furthermore, as their spectra are different, discrimination between the free and protonated forms of amphetamine salts can be observed. Here, we provide evidence for this difference, and show experimentally, how it has been overseen.

Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy is applied to a range of phthalate ester plasticizers in pure form as well as in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) samples. It is found that phthalate esters as a group can be identified by a set of six characteristic Raman bands. FT-Raman spectra of 22 phthalate esters are given. It is demonstrated that the presence of phthalate esters in PVC products is readily detectable by FT-Raman spectroscopy. By use of proper reference samples quantitative determination of the phthalate ester content becomes possible as well.

…………………………………………………………………… 1. Introduction………………………………………………………………. 2. Examination of Raman Spectrometer Systems……………………… 2.1 The DILOR-HORIBA "LabRam" Type…………………………… 2.2 The RENISHAW "Raman System 1000" Type………………… 3. Diffraction Physics of the Sinus Arm Drive………………………… 4. Principles of Operation………………………………………………… 5. Examination of Reproducibility and Calibration……………………. 6. Discussion of Reasons for CP Setting Errors……………………… 7. Temperature Effects…………………………………………………… 8. "Golden Values of CP"………………………………………………… 9. Solution to the Problems……………………………………………… 10. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………… Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………. References ………………………………………………………………

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements were carried out on stilbazolium merocyanine dye in methanol and pyridine solvents. Both solutions were measured in a series of concentrations covering a range of 5 × 10 −5 M to 5 × 10 −8 M. In these measurements, Ag and Au colloids were used, and the results have shown that Ag colloids yield better enhancement in the Raman spectra of this dye. Moreover, the effect of adding NaCl solution to the SERS samples was also studied. All measurements were carried out using the state-of-the-art ChiralRaman instrument, which utilizes a 532 nm laser source. We report here on the success of using SERS to obtain Raman spectra of merocyanine dye at very low concentrations in an attempt to find a new approach that can be used for further investigations of the dye. The SERS spectra are reported here, and the results from different solutions, colloids, concentrations and pH values are compared.