Nanosecond time-resolved Raman spectroscopy for solving some Raman problems such as luminescence or thermal emission

Raman spectroscopy is experimentally widely available and relatively simple to perform at room temperature. Some difficulties nevertheless remain, as for instance separating some various contributions from the Raman spectrum, such as thermal emission for high temperature measurements or luminescence. Here, an optimized time-resolved Raman spectroscopy system based on a gated detection and a nanosecond pulsed laser excitation (30ns width, 532nm wavelength) is described. The system allows contactless Raman measurements, at high temperatures, of some materials such as zirconia and yttria. An example of Raman spectra collected on yttria at very high temperature up to 2100 degrees C is provided. This optimized system may also be used to discriminate between Raman scattering and luminescence as demonstrated in zirconia material.