Biochemical Applications of Raman and Resonance Raman Spectroscopes

Biochemical Applications of Raman and Resonance Raman Spectroscopies focuses on the application of Raman and resonance Raman spectroscopies to biochemical problems. The book reviews biological systems and details the application of Raman spectroscopy to biological molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. It also looks at codevelopments of lasers, optics, and electronics that drive advances in experimental Raman spectroscopy, along with the important ramifications of these advances for biochemical applications. This volume is organized into eight chapters and begins with an overview of the theoretical and experimental aspects of Raman spectroscopy, including a very brief explanation of what Raman and resonance Raman spectroscopies are and a discussion of their advantages and disadvantages for biochemical studies. The explanation of the Raman and resonance Raman effects is taken up in more detail in the next chapter, which develops the concept of the vibrational motions of molecules by initially considering mechanical ''ball and spring'' models and goes on to use this concept to formulate a classical model for Raman scattering. The resonance Raman effect is then described by another model which emphasizes the discrete or quantized energy levels available to a molecule. The reader is also introduced to the experimental aspects of Raman spectroscopy and the application of Raman spectroscopy across the entire field of biochemistry. Each chapter contains an outline of the basic chemistry and biochemical nomenclature involved. This book will be of interest to chemists, biochemists, and spectroscopists, as well as graduate students and experienced research workers.