Description
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify organic, polymeric, and, in some cases, inorganic materials by measuring how a sample absorbs infrared (IR) radiation. It operates on the principle that molecular bonds vibrate at specific frequencies, and these vibrations can absorb characteristic frequencies of infrared light. By analyzing these absorption patterns, FTIR provides detailed information about the molecular composition and structure of the sample.
Unlike traditional dispersive infrared spectroscopy, FTIR uses an interferometer—typically a Michelson interferometer—to collect all wavelengths of infrared light simultaneously. The resulting signal, called an interferogram, contains information about all the frequencies of light absorbed by the sample. Through a mathematical process known as a Fourier Transform, this complex signal is converted into a conventional infrared spectrum, displaying the intensity of absorption as a function of wavelength or wavenumber.
FTIR is highly versatile and widely used in various fields such as chemistry, materials science, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, forensics, and food quality control. It enables both qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples in solid, liquid, or gaseous states with minimal sample preparation. The technique is non-destructive, rapid, and highly sensitive to functional groups, making it ideal for identifying unknown substances, studying molecular interactions, and monitoring chemical reactions.
Modern FTIR instruments often come equipped with accessories like Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR), allowing for direct analysis of solid or liquid samples without extensive preparation. Additionally, FTIR can be coupled with microscopy (FTIR microscopy) to provide spatially resolved spectral data, useful in material defect analysis and micro-contaminant detection.
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