FT-IR Instrument

submitted by S.Indumathi

FTIR EXTERNAL VIEW

What is a FTIR Spectrometer?

A spectrometer is an optical instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, 5 microns to 20 microns. FTIR (Fourier Transform InfraRed) spectrometer is a obtains an infrared spectra by first collecting an interferogram of a sample signal using an interferometer, then performs a Fourier Transform on the interferogram to obtain the spectrum.

An interferometer is an instrument that uses the technique of superimposing (interfering) two or more waves, to detect differences between them. The FTIR spectrometer uses a Michelson interferometer.

Components
Source Michelson Interferometer Sample Detector
Light source

He-Ne gas laser

(ceramic) Beam splitter Movable mirror Sample chamber

Fixed mirror Interferometer

Detector

FTIR INTERNAL VIEW

Michelson Interferometer)

Power Supply Signal Processor DTGS Detector (MIR) InGaAs Detector (NIR) Data & Purge Ports

Main Sample Compartment (KBr Windows)

Internal Source Compartment

Motorized Path Selection Mirrors

Infrared Sources
Special Application IR Sources mercury arc
Used in far-infrared others listed prior can not be used for far IR (l > 50 mm)

tungsten filament
near-infrared (2.5 to 0.78 mm)

carbon dioxide laser

tunable used to monitor atmospheric conditions

Michaelson Interferometer
1014 Hz is too fast for the rapid changes in power to be directly measured as a function of time. Can not measure the FID signal directly Interferometer creates a replicate interference pattern at a frequency that is a factor of 1010 times slower 104-105 Hz can be measured electronically

Components of Michaelson Interferometer

Beam splitter Stationary mirror Moving mirror

Sample
Sample holder must be transparent to IRradiation. Liquids
Chamber made up of AgCl or CaF Neat, 1 drop Samples dissolved in volatile solvents- 0.1-10%

Solids
Chambers made up of KBr and NaCl Solid sample should be made into pellet form with KBr in the ratio of 1:1000

Infrared Detectors
Thermal transducers Heat capacity of absorbing element must be small because under best of conditions the temperature changes are confined to a few thousands of a kelvin Thermal noise is a major issue Cool detector Beam from source is chopped Thermocouples Two pieces of metal fused to either end of a dissimilar metal a potential difference develops with difference in temperature A well designed thermocouple can measure temperature differences of 10-6 K Bolometer Two thin strips of metal whose resistance changes greatly with temperature

FT Optical System Diagram

Light source

He-Ne gas laser

(ceramic) Beam splitter Movable mirror Sample chamber

Fixed mirror Interferometer

Detector

Advantages
FT-IR collects all resolution elements with a complete scan of the interferometer. Successive scans of the FT-IR instrument are coded and averaged to enhance the signal-to-noise of the spectrum. The dispersive instrument collects data one wavelength at a time and collects only a single spectrum. There is no good method for increasing the signal-to-noise of the dispersive spectrum.

Application
Identification of inorganic compounds and organic compounds Identification of components of an unknown mixture Analysis of solids, liquids, and gasses In remote sensing In measurement and analysis of Atmospheric Spectra - Solar irradiance at any point on earth - Longwave/terrestrial radiation spectra Can also be used on satellites to probe the space

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