Review by Choice Review
Across the century, since the first report of inelastic scattering of light by C. V. Raman, this Nobel Prize-winning research has been successfully used experimentally as a diagnostic measuring device for studying molecular structure. It is a powerful tool in the chemist's analytical arsenal. The higher level of interest since 9/11 is attributable to the requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Smith (Strathclyde Univ., Glasgow) and Dent (UMIST, Manchester, UK) offer this taut work, well organized and well written with clear chapters ranging across the spectrum from theory to practice and spectral interpretation, resonance Raman, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Applications are traditional. It would have been nice to see hot issues of the day such as detection of nerve gases and toxic chemicals, bioagents, and portable devices for first DHS responders broken out into a separate chapter, but almost everything is here in this highly recommended primer on the subject. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. L. W. Fine Columbia University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
