  Infrared quadrupole modes (IRQM) of the valence electrons in light deformed
sodium clusters are studied by means of the time-dependent local-density
approximation (TDLDA). IRQM are classified by angular momentum components
$\lambda\mu =$20, 21 and 22 whose $\mu$ branches are separated by cluster
deformation. In light clusters with a low spectral density, IRQM are
unambiguously related to specific electron-hole excitations, thus giving access
to the single-electron spectrum near the Fermi surface (HOMO-LUMO region). Most
of IRQM are determined by cluster deformation and so can serve as a sensitive
probe of the deformation effects in the mean field. The IRQM branch $\lambda\mu
=$21 is coupled with the magnetic scissors mode, which gives a chance to detect
the latter. We discuss two-photon processes, Raman scattering (RS), stimulated
emission pumping (SEP), and stimulated adiabatic Raman passage (STIRAP), as the
relevant tools to observe IRQM. A new method to detect the IRQM population in
clusters is proposed.
