Fundamentals of FTIR

Instructor: Dr. Brian C. Smith

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Course Length: 8 hours

Why take this course?

  • Learn to optimize scanning parameters for the best results
  • See how spectral subtraction and library searching solves the difficult problem of mixture analysis
  • Discover the best troubleshooting techniques to keep your instrument healthy

 

Course Outline

I. The Basics of FTIR

  • A. Introduction to Infrared Spectroscopy
  • B. The Advantages of FT-IR
  • C. The Disadvantage of FTIR: Water and CO2 Peaks

 

II. How an FT-IR Works

  • A. Interferometers & Interferograms
  • B. How a Spectrum is Produced
  • C. Optimizing Spectral Quality
  • D. FTIR Hardware
    1. Infrared Sources
    2. Beamsplitters
    3. Detectors: DTGS and MCT
    4. The He-Ne Laser
  • E. Instrument Troubleshooting

III. Dealing with Mixtures

  • A. Spectral Subtraction
    1. Theory
    2. Optimizing Subtraction Results
    3. Spotting Artifacts
  • B. Library Searching
    1. Background & Theory
    2. The Search Process
    3. Properly Interpreting Search Results
    4. Subtract & Search Again

 

IV. Infrared Microscopes

  • A. How an Infrared Microscope Works
  • B. Preparing Samples
  • C. Applications
    1. Forensics
    2. Biological Samples
    3. Molecular Mapping