Raman spectroscopy of iron oxides and (oxy)hydroxides at low laser power and possible applications in environmental magnetic studies

Raman spectroscopy uses the inelastic scattering of electromagnetic radiation by molecules. Monochromatic light of a laser interacts with phonons, the vibrational modes in the crystal lattice. The energy of the scattered light is shifted by the scattering. The shifts in energy yield the Raman spectrum that is specific for each mineral because the phonons are specific for each mineral.