FT-IR Flashcards
How does an FTIR work?
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy or FTIR works by hitting a sample with infrared light and the sample absorbs some of that light and allows other parts to pass through it creating a spectrum. This spectrum is then compared to a known reference material. Most substances absorb different amounts of light creating unique and reproducible spectrum for each substance
What does the FTIR instrument look like?
Our FTIR looks like a box with a metal plate where sample is placed for analysis. It has an arm that screws down onto the sample compressing it against a crystal.
How do you know that your FTIR was working properly the day you ran the sample?
The instrument has both daily and weekly performance checks that we must ensure have been completed and passed before samples are ran on it
How do you know your sample or instrument(FTIR) wasn’t contaminated?
Prior to analyzing a sample we check a preview spectrum to ensure there are no contaminants.
What is a background spectrum?
A background spectrum is a spectrum taken without anything present that accounts for the environmental conditions at the time of analysis
What is a preview spectrum?
A preview spectrum is a live look at what the instrument is scanning without sample to ensure there is no contaminates present
How do you identify something on an FTIR?
Samples are identified on an FTIR by comparing their spectrum with a known reference material analyzed on the same instrument.
Is FTIR accepted in the scientific community as a means to identify controlled substances?
Yes
Why did you use FTIR as opposed to GC-MS?
An FTIR has the ability to differentiate certain types of substances that a GC-MS cannot making it more useful in certain circumstances
