A Raman spectrochemical system has been developed based on laser radiation as the parent source. The high intensity of such radiation requires special considerations in the design of the spectrometer to reduce scattered primary radiation to better than one in part in 10(10), and these considerations are discussed. Coupling specimens of differing sizes and types to the incident radiation to optimize the intensity of Raman scattering necessitates differing approaches in optical design, and these are presented. Other design features discussed are the optics employed to collect and relay Raman radiation to the spectrometer, and the photon counting detector system. The performance of the system is typified by spectra obtained from specimens that present difficulties characteristic of Raman spectroscopy.