拉曼散射自1928年發現後,雖然在1930年代曾是相當重要的工具,但因使用不便而日漸沒落。到1960年代因雷射的發明同時電子訊號的處理技術也改進,故又興起。目前用在高解析光譜,低解析光譜,及共振拉曼光譜,使之在有機化合物,無機化合物,生物化合物的構造的研究上又日趨重要。尤其是低溫間質及表面加強拉曼光譜,可有很大的發展。
Raman scattering was discovered in 1928 and was once a popular tool in research in 1930's. Because of the invention of laser and the improvement in electronics, it became popular again in 1960's. Now, it may be applied indifferent types such as high resolution, low resolution, and resonance Raman spectroscopies. Its importance in the determination of the structures of organic, inorganic and biochemicals increases in time.