Raman Spectroscopy of Silicate Glasses and Melts in Geological Systems

Raman spectroscopy of glasses and melts is a powerful technique which can provide information about the silicate network connectivity via the study of Q(n)-species distribution and also on other tetrahedrally coordinated cations such as aluminium, phosphorus, ferric iron and titanium. Recently, Raman spectroscopy of glasses and melts has focused on information obtained about the speciation of volatile compounds. After a brief introduction to the definition of the glassy state and on the relationships between glass and melt, the main steps of Raman spectral analysis are described, discussing the main approaches and the extent to which this method is quantitative. Finally, examples of the application of Raman spectroscopy in the field of Earth sciences are given.