Linear molecules selection rules, infrared spectrum

Since the coefficients (dp/dq)o are very small, one needs large incident intensities to observe hyper-Raman scattering. Similar to second-harmonic generation (Vol. 1, Sect. 5.8), hyper-Rayleigh scattering is forbidden for molecules with a center of inversion. The hyper-Raman effect obeys selection rules that differ from those of the linear Raman effect. It is therefore very attractive to molecular spectroscopists since molecular vibrations can be observed in the hyper-Raman spectrum that are forbidden for infrared as well as for linear Raman transitions. For example, spherical molecules such as CH4 have no pure rotational Raman spectrum but a hyper-Raman spectrum, which was found by Maker [357]. A general theory for rotational and rotational-vibrational hyper-Raman scattering has been worked out by Altmann and Strey [358]. 

In the previous chapter, vibrational/rotational (i.e. infrared) spectroscopy of diatomic molecules was analyzed. The same analysis is now applied to polyatomic molecules. Polyatomic molecules have more than one bond resulting in additional vibrational degrees of freedom. Rotation of linear polyatomic molecules is mechanically equivalent to that of diatomic molecules however, the rotation of non-linear polyatomic molecules results in more than one degree of rotational freedom. The result of the additional vibrational and rotational degrees of freedom for polyatomic molecules is to complicate the vibrational/rotational spectra of polyatomic molecules relative to spectra of diatomic molecules. Though the spectra of polyatomic molecules are more complicated, many of the same features exist as in the spectra of diatomic molecules. As a result, a similar approach wiU be used in this chapter. The mechanics of a model system will be solved, determine the selection rules, and the features of a spectrum will be predicted. 

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