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Spectrometer: FTIR - standard

Quick Specs

  • Visible, near-, mid-, and far-infrared capabilities
  • 0.1 cm-1 resolution
  • Include Raman vibrational analysis capabilities

Two Bruker Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers (IFS66 and IFS66/V) with visible, near-, mid- and far-infrared (IR) capabilities are available at EMSL. With these unique resources, infrared or Raman spectrum of a host of different species—including the most challenging of samples—can be obtained. Examples of work using these FTIRs include:

System Configuration and Operational Overview

The modular design of the Bruker FTIR spectrometers enables rapid changing of detector and beamsplitter combinations, so the researcher may readily change from visible to the near- or mid-IR.

Range Detectors Beamsplitters
Vis (400 to 770nm) silicon quartz or quartz-CaF2
Near-IR 12,900 to 4000cm-1 (770 to 2.5μm) Ge or InSb or MCT quartz or quartz-CaF2
Mid-IR 4000 to 400cm-1 (2.5 to 25μm) mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) or DTGS Potassium bromide
Far-IR 400 to 10cm-1 (25 to 1000μm) helium bolometer or DLATGS mylar

All work with the spectrometers and in EMSL laboratories must be performed in compliance with EMSL practices and permits.

IFS66 Spectrometer

This research-grade spectrometer is capable of measurements in the visible, near-IR, and mid-IR with 0.1 cm-1 spectral resolution. It is equipped with a microscope with an approximate resolution of 60 μm, an MCT detector, a visible charge-coupled diode camera, and a 35-mm camera for image capture. The microscope stage has manual and motor drive capabilities for sample mapping. An optional cryogenic cold-stage for sample cooling is available. A host of sampling accessories are available and described below.

IFS66/V Spectrometer

The 0.1 cm-1 resolution IFS66/V spectrometer uses all of the same combinations of beamsplitters and detectors as the IFS66. However, the IFS66/V spectrometer is a vacuum bench, which is of great advantage for gas-phase work, for work in the far-IR, or for species whose absorption features lie near those of CO2 or H2O. The instrument interferometer and sample compartments can be evacuated differentially by use of automated shutters with IR transparent windows. A helium bolometer provides greatly enhanced sensitivity in the far-IR. The IFS66/V has step-scan (time-resolved) capability.

Raman Module and Raman Microscope

The infrared spectroscopic capabilities available at EMSL were recently upgraded to include Raman vibrational analyses by addition of an FT-Raman module and Raman microscope to the IFS66/V. The information provided by Raman spectroscopy complements that obtained by infrared spectroscopy, thus allowing complete characterization of molecular vibrations of solids and liquids.

The Bruker FRA 106 Raman module enables complementary measurement of vibrational spectra to those obtained by infrared spectrophotometry. Many vibrational modes of molecules are disallowed in the IR, but are then usually Raman active. It is the complementary nature of these vibrational methods that makes having both analytical techniques so valuable, allowing complete characterization of molecular vibrations of solids and liquids. Raman spectroscopy is also transparent to both water and glass, a real advantage as compared to IR work, especially for aqueous solutions.

The Bruker R 590-D Raman microscope connects directly to the existing FTIR and Raman module, enabling perfect interfacing of the existing 1.5-W, 1064-nm YAG laser to the input optics of the microscope. Raman vibrational spectra can be collected with 20-mm spatial resolution from samples where more than one scattering species are found in close proximity. Use of the dedicated 1064-nm YAG laser for excitation essentially eliminates fluorescence interferences, a real advantage over dispersive Raman methods.

Sample Cells

A variety of cells are available for gas, liquid, solid, and slurry samples:

Researchers who are external to EMSL may use the FTIRs for their research.

All Related Publications Related Publications

  1. Forsterite [Mg2SiO4)] Carbonation in Wet Supercritical CO2: An in situ High Pressure X-Ray Diffraction Study.
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  3. In situ DRIFTS-MS studies on the oxidation of adsorbed NH3 by NOx over a Cu-SSZ-13 zeolite.
  4. Tomography and High-Resolution Electron Microscopy Study of Surfaces and Porosity in a Plate-Like γ-Al2O3.
  5. Mechanistic Studies of Methanol Synthesis over Cu from CO/CO2/H2/H2O Mixtures: the Source of C in Methanol and the Role of Water.

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