News
24 July 2007 Smiths Detection awarded initial contract to supply M4 JCAD, the U.S. Military’s new generation chemical agent detector [more]
8 June 2007 Smiths Detection introduces multi-sensor handheld chemical identifier for emergency responders [more]
22 May 2007 Smiths Detection launches new hand-held biological agent detector - Bio-Seeq Plus [more]
22 May 2007 Smiths Detection to help protect Swedish defence forces against chemical warfare agents [more]
15 May 2007 Smiths Detection chosen to commercialise early warning system for chemical terrorist attacks [more]
Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) is a well-established and proven analytical technique for the identification of unknown chemicals. The method relies on the microscopic interaction of infrared light with chemical matter via a process of absorption and results in a pattern of bands called a spectrum. This spectrum is unique to the chemical and acts like a “molecular fingerprint” in the same way a human’s fingerprint is distinct.
FT-IR exploits the intrinsic properties of a chemical, in addition to being broadly-applicable. These features make FT-IR very amenable to spectral library-matching. With the help of an extensive database the library-matching approach makes it possible to identify rapidly thousands of chemicals on the basis of their distinct “molecular fingerprint”.
FT-IR exploits the intrinsic properties of a chemical, in addition to being broadly-applicable. These features make FT-IR very amenable to spectral library-matching. With the help of an extensive database the library-matching approach makes it possible to identify rapidly thousands of chemicals on the basis of their distinct “molecular fingerprint”.