Vibrational Raman optical activity of biomolecules

Traditionally, spectroscopic studies of chiral molecules have centered on electronic optical activity, usually measured as optical rotation or circular dichroism of visible and near-ultraviolet radiation. However, over the past two decades advances in optical and electronic technology have enabled optical activity measurements to be extended into the vibrational spectrum using both infrared and Raman techniques (Barron, 1982; Diem, 1993). It is now well established that vibrational optical activity opens up a whole new world of fundamental studies and practical applications