Raman Spectrum of Heavy Water

THE Raman spectrum of heavy water was first studied by Prof. R. W. Wood1, who obtained a strong band at 2517 cm.−1. For the vapour of heavy water, Rank, Larsen and Bordner2found a line at 2666 cm.−1, while Wood has reported a line at 2601 cm.−1. These results are evidently incomplete. In view of the great interest attached to this substance, it appeared worth while to re-examine the matter, using 50 gm. of 99.2 gm./lOO gm. D2O ( 1.1049) supplied by the Norsk Hydro-Elektrisk Kvaelstofaktieselskab. The Raman spectrum of the substance was photographed with a Hilger two-prism spectrograph with about 72 hours exposure, and is reproduced as Fig. 1.