NIST Researchers Develop Frequency Converter for NIR Spectroscopy
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland) have developed a highly sensitive, low-cost NIR spectroscopy technique that can measure the specific wavelengths used in telecommunications as well as single-photon levels of infrared light given off by fragile biomaterials and nanomaterials.
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland) have developed a highly sensitive, low-cost NIR spectroscopy technique that can measure the specific wavelengths used in telecommunications as well as single-photon levels of infrared light given off by fragile biomaterials and nanomaterials. The approach “up converts” infrared photons up to the visible range using a tunable laser. The narrow-band pump laser scans the infrared signal photons and converts only those that have the desired polarization and wavelength to visible light. The visible light is easily detected by commercially available avalanche photodiode detectors. The new system reportedly enables spectra to be measured with a sensitivity that is greater than 1000 times that of current commercial optical spectral instruments.
Improving Fluorescence and Raman Techniques for Environmental Microplastic Analysis
March 31st 2025A recent study conducted at the LaserLaB Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (the Netherlands) explored spectroscopic imaging techniques, including Raman and fluorescence microscopy, for characterizing microplastics (MPs), focusing on optimizing sample preparation, particularly density separation, and Nile Red staining.Spectroscopy spoke to Merel Konings, corresponding author of the paper resulting from the study, about her work
New Study Provides Insights into Chiral Smectic Phases
March 31st 2025Researchers from the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences have unveiled new insights into the molecular arrangement of the 7HH6 compound’s smectic phases using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy.
