UV resonance Raman spectroscopy is well-suited for studies of protein structure and dynamics due to its high sensitivity and selectivity. This has allowed for equilibrium as well as kinetic studies of protein folding, investigations of DNA-protein interactions, and characterization of explosive species.
This thesis is focused on a plan for the development of a deep UV resonance Raman spectrometer for excitation wavelengths from 197 nm – 240 nm. This spectrometer will utilize two gratings in a subtractive dispersion mode, giving a theoretical reciprocal linear dispersion of 0.424 nm/mm. This gives a theoretical limiting resolution of ~6 cm-1. The gratings stages are equipped with motors, one of which drives a lead screw, and the other is a motorized linear actuator, which gives both stages high angular resolution. The stage controlled by the lead screw has sufficient resolution to shift the spectrum of a particular analyte by a single pixel. The expected efficiency of this spectrometer is ~15%, which is comparable to the efficiency of other double spectrometers. The development of this spectrometer will allow the continuation of incisive studies of protein and peptide structure
