Use a Raman spectroscopy to measure the amount of water in the wood

Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique that can be used to measure the amount of water in wood. The technique is based on the inelastic scattering of light by molecules, and the frequency of the scattered light is shifted by an amount that is characteristic of the molecule. In the case of water, the Raman shift is ~3400 cm^-1.

Procedure

• Shine a laser beam onto the surface of the wood.
• Collect the scattered light using a spectrometer.
• Analyze the spectrometer data to determine the frequency of the Raman shift.
• Use the Raman shift to calculate the amount of water in the wood.

Advantages

• Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique.
• The technique can be used to measure the amount of water in wood without having to remove a sample.
• Raman spectroscopy is a relatively fast and easy technique to use.

Limitations

• Raman spectroscopy can only measure the amount of water in the surface of the wood.
• The technique cannot be used to measure the amount of water in wood that is covered by a finish.