7. Aerogel structure

7.1 Spectroscopies

Classical infrared and Raman spectroscopies provide information on the nature of the atomic entities making up the gel.

The infrared (IR) spectrum of an aerogel is extremely simple to produce. Given the small amount of material involved, a sample thickness of less than a millimeter is sufficient for transmission experiments.

The IR spectra obtained are identical to those of glassy silica with regard to vibrations $\mathrm{Si}—\mathrm{O}$...