Use of CuO in Obtaining Approximate Depolarization Ratios of Colorless Solids

Abstract
We have developed a new method by which approximate depolarization ratios may be determined for colorless compounds in the solid state. Through the addition of CuO or carbon black, we were able to obtain reasonable values for vibrational modes of K2SO4, Na[Ag(CN)2], W(CO)6, and benzophenone. The function of these colored additives appears to be that of reducing the depth of penetration of the laser beam and consequently attenuating the amount of reflected or refracted radiation which will have been scrambled with respect to polarization.