Raman spectroscopy as a tool to determine the thermal maturity of organic matter: Application to sedimentary, metamorphic and structural geology

Raman spectrometry is a rapid, non-destructive alternative to conventional tools employed to assess the thermal alteration of organic matter (OM). Raman may be used to determine vitrinite reflectance equivalent OM maturity values for petroleum exploration, to provide temperature data for metamorphic studies, and to determine the maximum temperatures reached in fault zones. To achieve the wider utilisation of Raman, the spectrum processing...