Understanding Why Researchers Should Use Synchrotron-Enhanced FTIR Instead of Traditional FTIR

A synchrotron-enhanced Fourier transform infrared (SR–FTIR) specializes in combining the tremendous power, brightness, intensity, focusability, and tunability of the photons radiated by a synchrotron with FTIR ability to research the vibrational properties of the lighter elements (i.e., C, N, O, etc.). Infrared (IR) wavelengths correspond to the sizes of molecular bonds having these lighter elements, and only species for which IR photons alter the molecule's dipole moment are detectable and considered to be IR responsive. SR–FTIR excels over traditional FTIR at examining the detailed properties of IR-responsive molecules. Further, SR–FTIR has superior signal-to-noise ratios, brightness, and ability to conduct long-duration scans without altering sample properties. A SR–FTIR scan can reveal exacting molecular details, unrivaled by traditional FTIR. IR-responsive species best analyzed by SR–FTIR can include trace elements, chemical structures, biological specimens, chemical reactions (pump-probe), small or dilute specimens, and molecular matrices. A SR–FTIR is especially likely to give results that have greater precision than traditional FTIR for submonolayers, polymers, semiconductors, superconductors, and environmental samples. Increasingly, the SR–FTIR is used by forensics researchers to examine potential evidentiary materials, such as drugs, paints, fibers, explosives, polymers, inks, documents, blood, and soil.