Article
Article
Infrared spectroscopy
Article By:
McDowell, Robin S. Molecular Science Research Center, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Washington.
Last reviewed:September 2018
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.344700
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- Infrared spectroscopy, published June 2014:Download PDF
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An analytic technique for measuring the interaction (usually the absorption) of infrared radiation with matter. Infrared spectrometers are instruments used to identify and measure the concentration of chemical compounds (Fig. 1). Electromagnetic waves from the long-wavelength limit of visible light at 800 nanometers to the shortest microwaves at 1 mm are used. In the wave-number units usually employed (oscillations per centimeter, read as reciprocal centimeters), this corresponds to 12,500–10 cm−1. See also: Infrared radiation
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