The cermet of Ni−oxide ion conductor is widely used as an anode in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). However, the usage of nickel induces various degradation phenomena during discharge operation; e.g., agglomeration and/or oxidation of nickel catalyst, and carbon deposition. In most cases, these degradation phenomena are triggered by the change in the oxygen chemical potential inside the anode. In this study, then, in operando Raman spectroscopy was conducted for the anode of Ni−Ce 0.8 Sm 0.2 O 2-δ (Ni−SDC) cermet at 700 • C with applying SDC as a probe for the detection of oxygen chemical potential. This is because the band related to the oxygen vacancy in the Raman spectrum of SDC varies depending on the partial pressure of oxygen in the ambient atmosphere. The change in oxygen chemical potential at the top surface of anode was successfully quantified under polarization. The effective reaction zone of anode was also discussed by comparing with the data derived from impedance spectra measured simultaneously. Solid oxide fuel cells are promising energy conversion systems for the next generation. High-temperature operation of this electrochemical device offers high fuel flexibility as well as high energy conversion efficiency. Currently in Japan, methane is utilized as the main fuel source for the residential SOFC cogeneration system and the pre-reformed gas is supplied to the cell chamber.1,2 In this case, the anode is requested to be active for the reforming reaction of hydrocarbons as well as the electrochemical oxidation of fuels. The tolerance to carbon deposition is also an important property because the hydrocarbon gas will be introduced directly to the anode chamber when the reforming system is broken down.The cermet of Ni−oxide ion conductor is widely used as an anode in SOFCs. However, the usage of nickel induces various degradation phenomena during discharge operation. The agglomeration and/or the oxidation of nickel catalyst are major degrading factors under steady operation.3-8 For instance, such degradation phenomena can be observed in the downstream part of the fuel gas flow channel because the anode is exposed to the severe condition due to a lean fuel and a high partial pressure of steam.9,10 The electrochemical oxidation of nickel sometimes proceeds during discharge under the fuel shortage condition.11-13 These will lead to the microstructural evolution accompanied by the reduction in the length of triple phase boundary (TPB). As mentioned above, furthermore, the carbon deposition degrades the cell performance due to the obstruction of gas diffusion path and the metal dusting of nickel.14-21 A series of degradation phenomena is triggered by the change in the oxygen chemical potential inside the anode. In general, the partial pressure of oxygen in the vicinity of anode/electrolyte interface is higher than that in the anode surface region under anodic polarization because the steam is generated via the electrochemical reaction. Therefore, it is of importance to elucidate the oxygen chemical potentia...