The NASA Raman spectroscopic database: Ramdb version 1.00

Abstract

The NASA Raman Spectroscopic Database (Ramdb) was developed to provide a publicly accessible, user-friendly database for spectra relevant to the planetary science community. This paper describes the first set of spectra made available in version 1.00 of Ramdb, the methods used to obtain and process the Raman spectra, and provides a walkthrough of the database website that is located at www.astrochemistry.org/ramdb. Ramdb presently offers 112 laboratory and theoretical Raman spectra of samples relevant to planetary exploration and space science. Laboratory spectra were measured at multiple laser excitation wavelengths, namely: 405, 532, and 785 nm. Spectral data for six projects (amino acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon allotropes, minerals, analogs, and planetary studies) are provided as both raw and processed, tagged with key spectroscopic parameters, and, where applicable, accompanied by microscope images of the samples. The contents of Ramdb will be continuously expanded with a wide range of samples relevant to Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Exobiology, and Earth Science, guided by ongoing and future space exploration missions.