December 3rd 2024
The following is a summary of selected articles published recently in Spectroscopy on the subject of handheld, portable, and wearable spectrometers representing a variety of analytical techniques and applications. Here we take a closer look at the ever shrinking world of spectroscopy devices and how they are used. As spectrometers progress from bulky lab instruments to compact, portable, and even wearable devices, the future of spectroscopy is transforming dramatically. These advancements enable real-time, on-site analysis across diverse industries, from healthcare to environmental monitoring. This summary article explores cutting-edge developments in miniaturized spectrometers and their expanding range of practical applications.
November 22nd 2024
Generating Purge Gas for FT-IR Spectroscopy
February 11th 2011Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers provide spectra in less time than scanning systems, but water vapor and/or CO2 in the sample chamber leads to additional peaks that may obscure important information. These interferences can be eliminated by sealing the sample chamber and purging with dry, CO2 free air (purge gas) or nitrogen for a short period of time.
QA/QC of Coatings and Surfaces via Exoscan Handheld FT-IR Analyzer
February 11th 2011The application of FT-IR spectroscopy in quality assurance and quality control has largely been limited to laboratory efforts - bringing the samples to the instrument located on a benchtop in a lab. The advent of handheld analyzers such as A2 Technologies' Exoscan system, enables FT-IR to move from the lab to analyses at the sample site.
FT-IR Sampling of Residues on Curved Metal Surfaces Outside of the Sampling Compartment
February 11th 2011In the manufacturing process, it frequently becomes important to determine if metal parts are clean or are sufficiently lubricated with oil. Infrared analysis of small, flat pieces can be readily carried out by in-compartment grazing angle specular reflectance.
Using Multi-Component Search for More Effective Identification of Seized Drugs by FT-IR
February 11th 2011Infrared analysis of seized drugs is underutilized in many forensic laboratories owing to the ambiguous results produced by samples containing a mixture of compounds. The use of a patented multi-component search algorithm can help overcome the limitations of infrared for the identification of drugs in mixture samples.
FT-IR Diffuse Reflectance Sampling with an Environmental Chamber for In Situ Reaction Monitoring
February 11th 2011FT-IR diffuse reflectance sampling coupled with an environmental temperature chamber offers a convenient method to study sample degradation, to evaluate catalyst efficiency, and to determine reaction pathways as a function of temperature and pressure.
Handling Spectra from FT-IR Foreign Matter Analysis
August 1st 2010Fourier transform–infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is convenient and effective for the analysis of foreign matter and other defect analysis. It is widely used to confirm, identify, and detect matter in many applications, including raw materials, medical products, packaging, and coatings.
Shedding New Light on Materials Analysis: Tunable Mid-IR Laser Spectrometry
August 1st 2010Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is one of the most versatile and powerful analytical tools that we have today for the characterization and identification of materials. Its strength lies in its ability to handle a broad range of material types, in any physical state, at a wide range of concentrations, and on many occasions, with direct methods of measurement. These strengths are about to be enhanced by the use of instrumentation that utilizes a choice of broadly tunable laser devices, covering the sweet spot of the mid-IR spectrum, the "fingerprint region." These systems currently cover the spectral range of 6–12 ?m (1665–830 cm-1), which provides spectroscopic access to almost all classes of chemical compounds. This article reviews the benefits offered by such a laser system for a wide range of new and challenging applications.
Using FT-IR Microscope ATR Objectives to Resolve Complex Samples
August 1st 2010Relying primarily on transmission or reflection techniques, FT-IR microscope and imaging systems often can require tedious sample preparation to obtain representative data from a sample. Conversely, similar to a sample compartment attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory, the ATR microscope objective requires no sample preparation as the sample can simply be contacted with the ATR element, or crystal, and then the sample spectra can be collected using the microscope detector. The ATR objectives discussed here are designed to offer simultaneous video observation of the selected sample area during infrared data collection. These ATR objectives provide a unique capability for sample observation and infrared data collection when utilizing a software mapping feature offered with the FT-IR microscopes discussed.
Hollow Waveguides: The Next Generation of Mid-IR Remote Sampling Accessories
August 1st 2010The most popular design of a hollow waveguide consists of silica glass tubing coated internally with silver and silver iodide to create a highly reflective surface. The external surface of the silica glass tubing is coated with an acrylate to enhance waveguide strength. In contrast to traditional mid-IR optical fibers, such as chalcogenide glass, and silver halide polycrystalline fibers, hollow waveguides offer distinct advantages for mid-IR remote sampling. Hollow waveguides, which were recently incorporated into a mid-IR sampling accessory, provide enhanced durability and span the full mid-IR range. This article details the technology and performance of hollow waveguides in the mid-IR spectral region and presents applications in remote sampling.
Improved FT-IR Instrumentation and Software for Complete Confidence in QA/QC Testing
August 1st 2010Establishing credibility and reliability of the information provided by a Fourier transform–infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer is paramount to mitigating risk in the QA/QC laboratory, where simple, fast and error-free analysis of unknown materials or material verification are required. To meet the demands of a modern QA/QC laboratory, FT-IR spectrometers must include capabilities that shift the burden of proving the reliability of the information away from the analyst so they can concentrate on the sample, not on verifying the integrity of the data. Recent design advances in both FT-IR spectrometer hardware and software give users greater confidence by continually reporting instrument status and performance verification, efficiently and effectively running pass–fail tests against specification, and easily adjusting to the degree of variation in a given set of products.
Characterizing Colored Fibers by FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopy
August 1st 2010Characterization of trace evidence is an invaluable asset to the forensic scientist in solving crimes. In particular, the characterization needs to be specific enough so that the identification of material collected at a crime scene can be identified forcefully with material collected from a suspect's environment. Colored microscopic fibers can be discovered easily at a crime scene and collected for analysis. The question is what physical tool can be used to characterize these fibers. Fourier transform–infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a well-established method for characterizing trace evidence. In this article, FT-IR, FT-Raman, and dispersive Raman spectra of a series of prepared fibers will be evaluated for their information content.
Analysis of Solar Silicon Using High-Throughput Spectroscopy
August 1st 2009Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful analysis technique used in the semiconductor industry to ensure the quality of silicon and silicon wafers. The authors discuss the use of an inexpensive, lab-based system to measure carbon and oxygen concentrations in silicon to the level of precision required by the solar silicon industry.