Quite a few excellent books about vibrational spectroscopy have already been published. So why write a new one? The last years have seen the birth of new techniques and, first of all, a wealth of new applications. Therefore, a lot of new users need an introduction to these techniques and applications, but, if they are new to vibrational spectroscopy, an introduction to the parent techniques as well.

Vibrational spectroscopies can detect and analyze vibrations in molecules. Mainly two different forms are used today: Infrared and Raman spectroscopy.

Vibrational spectroscopy is used by chemists to characterize their substances. If the spectra of substances are known, analytical chemists can use them to analyze a mixture of chemicals. Samples may be analyzed even with spatial resolution, on the microscopic as well as on the macroscopic scale.

"Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy" is intended for researchers or lecturers in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science and Life Sciences, who are interested in the composition and properties of their samples. It describes how vibrational spectroscopy will enable them to examine thin layers, surfaces and interfaces, and also improve their knowledge about the properties of composites. Special chapters introduce VCD, ROA, and TERS.

The book can serve as a short introduction to vibrational spectroscopy too, so that students at the first graduate level will benefit from it as well.