Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

Data from the U.S. Air Force Defense Support Program (DSP) missile warning satellites collected early June 1 over the central Atlantic Ocean is being studied to see if it detected the impact or a fiery breakup of the Air France Airbus A330 that disappeared enroute to Paris, France, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil early on June 1.

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy are very complementary methods. The strongest demand tends to come from applications that require analytical information from a potentially broad range of compounds and functional groups. The global market for combined Raman and FT-IR accounts for a small but growing percentage of both the broader IR and Raman spectroscopy markets.

This article discusses instruments that can be used in the field to rapidly and accurately identify various explosives and their precursors.

Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and horizontal attenuated total reflectance (HATR) techniques are used to obtain the FT-IR spectra of the yellow foxtail seed, the giant foxtail seed, and the green foxtail seed.

The authors discuss the use of near-infrared spectroscopy to determine the age of a bloodstain, which can be critical in helping establish when a crime was committed.

Gas sensing in the mid-infrared region is examined.

The handheld and portable Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) market is a very new and rapidly growing market thanks to the intersection of technological advancements and new demand. Relative to other portable analytical technologies, the range of applications for the technology is more diverse. Despite the rapid growth and potential for this market, however, only a handful of competitors currently dominate the market.

A short history of the early scientific developments related to the optical emission lines of hydrogen is presented. These were crucial to the development of the quantum theory. Balmer's empirical formula was an important milestone. Rydberg and others provided additional work, especially for higher atomic numbers. However, it remained for Bohr to provide the physical reasoning.

The authors discuss the use of FT-NIR to identify several different types of drug formulations.

In this article, the authors discuss ways to ensure that users of varying skill levels will achieve the same results when analyzing mixtures.

This article focuses on the emergence of handheld, portable FT-IR spectrometers and the implications with respect to applications and use.

The authors discuss the use of instruments that combine FT-IR and Raman microscopy on a single platform, enabling synergistic studies of many materials.

The author discusses the benefits of using FT-IR to identify microbial organisms.

The authors discuss how applying infrared spectroscopy to microscopic sample preparations extends the value of results generated and provides molecular analysis of physical and chemical interactions.

The author discusses how researchers can gain the most accurate and useful data from their equipment by employing careful sampling and microscope techniques and following a few common best practices.

Residue can be transferred from gloves to samples at detectable levels, especially in attenuated total reflectance infrared spectra. Some residues can be removed easily by washing and drying the gloves in a manner similar to washing and drying hands.

The authors develop a label-free SERS method for rapid, accurate, specific, and routine screening of E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S. typhimurium bacteria for public safety and security.

There are straightforward motivations for miniaturizing an optical spectrometer. If an instrument can be made smaller, it often will also consume less power, enabling it to be portable and eventually handheld, which allows the spectrometer to be taken to the sample. This article describes various miniaturization techniques and focuses on the mid-infrared; subsequent articles will examine near-infrared, UV?vis, and Raman spectrometers.

The authors use a novel MIR laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) probe, biochemicals, and inorganic alkali metal salts to produce emissions in the MIR region from atomic and oxygenated molecular breakdown species.

Fourier transform–infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy technology has progressed considerably over the past two decades, and it is now a relatively established analytical technique for process monitoring in addition to being a standard tool in the laboratory. The inherent design of FT-IR systems makes them preferable for use as a process monitoring and analysis tool, particularly in the life science industries, which is a promising market.

Data are presented for a pH-adjustable liquid UV-matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) matrix for mass spectrometry analysis. The liquid matrix system possesses high analytical sensitivity within the same order of magnitude as that achievable by the commonly used solid UV-MALDI matrices but with improved spot homogeneity and reproducibility. The pH of the matrix has been adjusted, achieving an on-target pH range of 3.5?8.6, which has allowed for the performance of a tryptic digest within the diluted pH-optimized liquid matrix.

The biological process of germination in wheat is accompanied by localized chemical distribution of lipid and protein, particularly within the germ area of the kernel. As the embryo develops, it draws sustenance from the scutellum and to some degree from the endosperm throughout the kernel. This study was focused on the embryo/scutellum material balance. A focal plane array Fourier transform (FT)-IR microspectrometer was used to obtain 48,000 spectra from scutella in situ to provide quantitative functional group comparison.

This month's Technology Forum looks at the topic of FT-IR/NIR spectroscopy and the trends and issues surrounding it. Joining us for this discussion are Rohit Bhargava, with the University of Illinois, Chris Petty, with Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jim Yano and John Beauchaine, with Aspectrics, Richard Larsen, with Jasco, Inc., and Alan Rein, with A2 Technologies.

A novel method of transition metal (TM) (Cr, Co, and Fe)-doped nanocrystals fabrication based upon laser ablation was demonstrated. For the first time, mid-IR luminescence from TM:II-VI nanocrystals was reported.

Diamonds are by far the world's most popular gemstone. Because of this popularity and the high prices of quality gemstones, there is a large market for cheaper counterfeit stones that resemble diamonds. Detecting these counterfeit stones can be a significant problem for diamond buyers when the stones are represented as the genuine article by unscrupulous sellers. Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy can be a useful tool for buyers and sellers to determine authenticity.