Depolarised scattering from gaseous molecular hydrogen

Experimental data on depolarised intensities in the wings of the Raman vibrational Q branch of the hydrogen molecule are discussed for densities between 28 and 187 Amagat at room temperature. The low-density integrated depolarisation ratio as well as the far-wing spectral shape are in satisfactory agreement with the first-order dipole-induced dipole model for isotropic molecules. The permanent polarisability anisotropy of the molecule must be taken into account for the intensities in the centre of the Q branch.