Abstract: A method for the on-line analysis of a process stream, which process stream is a feedstream to or an exit stream from a steam reformer, which process stream has a temperature of at least 200° C., the components of which process stream are in the vapour phase, which method comprises: (a) taking a slipstream from the process stream; (b) cooling the slipstream to a temperature above its dew point; (c) analysing the cooled slipstream by near infra-red (NIR) spectroscopy to obtain a spectrum characterising NIR-absorbing components of the process stream; and (d) correlating the spectrum obtained to established calibration models from NIR spectroscopy using chemometric techniques to determine the concentration of, and/or to determine the partial pressure of one or more of the NIR-absorbing components of the process stream.

Abstract: A Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for operation in the mid- and long-wave infrared region (about 2-15 micron wavelengths) is disclosed. The FTIR spectrometer is composed of IR-transmitting fiber and uses a broadband IR source. A fiber stretcher is provided to provide a path difference between a first path and a second path having a sample associated therewith. Stretching of the fiber provides a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram that can subsequently be analyzed to obtain information about a sample. A method for use of the apparatus of the invention is also disclosed. The method involves stretching of an IR-transmitting fiber to create a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram. Various aspects of these features enable the construction of compact, portable spectrometers.

Abstract: A pellet used for spectrometry is manufactured by, for example, mixing polyethylene powder having an average particle size not greater than 35 ?m with powder of an analysis target, and compressing the mixture. A sample pellet (B) prepared by compacting only polyethylene powder having an average particle size not grater than 35 ?m exhibits a high transmittance in the wave number range of 10-340 cm?1. In spectrometry using a pellet of the present invention, spectrum waveform of the analysis target material at a range of wave number 140-250 cm?1 is measured.

Abstract: A method of investigating an object, comprising the steps of: (a) irradiating the object with an optically-generated pulse of electromagnetic radiation, said pulse having a plurality of frequencies in the range from 100 GHz to 100 THz; (b) detecting radiation transmitted and/or reflected from the object to obtain a time domain waveform; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for a plurality of points on the object and (d) combining data from step (c) to produce a time domain waveform for the object which has been averaged over the plurality of points.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electromagnetic wave radiating portion, an electromagnetic wave detecting portion, a driving portion, a periodical signal generating portion for generating plural periodical signals, a memory portion, a processing portion, and an image forming portion. The driving portion changes the relative positional relationship between an object and the radiating portion. The detecting portion acquires transmitted or reflected wave from the object, as a time-series detection signal. The processing portion executes a process of multiplying the detection signals of the areas of the object with the periodical signals, and a process of adding the multiplied results and causing the memory portion to store the added results.

Abstract: We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding system for obtaining a serum mid-infrared spectroscopic profile using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are described. The method comprises acquiring FTIR spectra for dried sera and preprocessing the FTIR spectra of sera by differentiation and smoothing to enhance weak spectral features and to remove baseline variations. The preprocessed FTIR spectra are normalized to a common intensity range, the normalization being performed in a spectral sub-region defined by strongest infrared (IR) absorption for a protein to obtain the serum spectroscopic profile. The serum spectroscopic profiles provide a basis to diagnose immunoglobulin disorders or to quantify serum immunoglobulin levels.

Abstract: An IR spectroscopic method of determining the presence or absence of metallic material embedded in polymer material including irradiating a surface of said polymer material and collecting at least one spectrum of reflected infrared energy from said surface of said over a spectrum of wavelengths including the near-infrared wherein said metallic material is at least partially absent in a affected condition; performing a multivariate comparison of said at least one spectrum with at least one reference spectrum to determine a change in reflectance of said at least one spectrum with respect to at least one reference spectrum wherein said metallic material is present in an unaffected condition; and, correlating the amount of said change in reflectance with the presence or absence of said metallic material embedded in said polymer material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of the total acid number and naphthenic acid number of petroleum, petroleum cuts and petroleum emulsions of water-in-oil type by mid-infrared spectroscopy utilising correlation between data gathered by means of absorption spectrums obtained with a Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer operating in the mid-infrared band equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory, and acidity results obtained through reference methods utilising a multivariate regression model.

Abstract: An automatic and continuous quantitative analysis method and apparatus capable of accurately and quickly quantifying the concentration of each component of a plurality of known components having close infrared absorption regions and similar infrared absorption curve shapes, included in a measurement sample. As a quantification wave number for each component of the plurality of components, a wave number at a tip of one absorption peak that overlaps as little as possible with absorption peaks in infrared absorption spectra of the other components, selected as a particular absorption peak for the component, is specified.

Abstract: A light emission section includes light generators which are operated on the basis of drive signals from a controller so as to emit near infrared interferable light beams having different specific wavelengths to a light interference section. The light interference section includes a beam splitter having a low-reflection region. The beam splitter allows a most portion of the near infrared interferable light beams to propagate toward an object to be examined, and reflects a portion of the near infrared interferable light beams to a movable mirror. The beam splitter causes interference between measurement light reflected by the object and reference light reflected by the movable mirror, and the resultant interference light propagates to a light detection section. The light detection section receives the interference light and calculates predetermined information regarding the object by making use of the quantity distribution of the interference light. A display section displays the calculated information.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spectroscopic method and an apparatus which can measure a trace element accurately with high sensitivity. In order to achieve this object, for example, in Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), a reference spectrum and a measurement spectrum including an impurity spectrum are measured in order to obtain a differential spectrum comprising the impurity spectrum and a flat baseline, correction including a frequency shift of the reference spectrum before calculating a differential spectrum, is performed on the reference spectrum. This makes it possible to remove baseline deformation due to phonon absorbance of silicon included in the conventional differential spectrum, and to obtain an infrared absorption spectrum of the substitutional carbon with high accuracy and high sensitivity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, which comprises: a main interferometer section including a beam splitter, a fixed mirror, a movable mirror, and a phase plate disposed between the beam splitter and the fixed mirror; a control interferometer section having a quadrature control system for calculating a position of the movable mirror; a center-burst-position detection section operable, based on an input of interference signals and interferograms, to subject respective intensities of the interferograms to an addition processing while correcting a positional deviation of the movable mirror, so as to obtain a cumulative interferogram, and detecting a center burst position having a maximum intensity value in the cumulative interferogram; a center-burst-position storage section operable to store the detected center burst position; and a measurement-start-position determination section operable, based on the stored center burst position, to determine a measurement start position of the mova

Abstract: A system and methodology for the trace detection of organic explosives is described. The detector system combines a separation system, such as a gas chromatograph to separate the components of an explosive mixture, with a pyrolysis detector. In operation, effluent from the separation system is pyrolyzed and the fragments produced on pyrolysis of the explosive compound are then detected. The small molecule fragments exhibit sharply banded, characteristic spectrum, enabling detection of the explosive materials. The system is tested using the explosive materials nitrobenzene and 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and with the nitramine explosive tetryl. Detection limits are 25 ng for nitrobenzene, and 50 ng for 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Tetryl is detected with a detection limit of 50 ng.

Abstract: A system for detection of gas leakage sources. An open-path FTIR detection system is located before the return filter of recirculating air of a factory to detect gas composition of recirculating air and transmits the result to a data server through a communication network. A multi-port extractive FTIR system is located in the factory to collect and detect gas sample of local area air using pipelines located in different areas and transmits the result of gas composition to the data server through the communication network. An IR monitor system obtains the gas composition from the data server through the communication network. A process exhaust management system obtains the gas composition from the IR monitor system through the communication network for the analysis of a gas leakage source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to an apparatus and methods that combine a novel four-port dual-source interferometer with double modulation FT-VCD or FT-VLD measurements to obtain a spectrometer with enhanced signal quality (S/N), and lower susceptibility to detector saturation. In the novel apparatus of the present invention, a linear polarizer or tandem array of identically-oriented polarizers is placed in front of each of the two sources in a four-port dual-source interferometer, with the polarization state of one of the linear polarizers (or tandem array of polarizers) vertical and the polarization state of the other linear polarizer (or tandem array of polarizers) horizontal, i.e., with the polarization axes of the polarizers orthogonal to one another. Methods for measuring these spectra using the various aspects of the apparatus of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for the fenceline monitoring of air contaminants. More particularly, methods, systems, and computer program products for correlating temporal variations between simultaneous measurements of at least one point monitor and an optical remote sensing (ORS) monitor to estimate the peak concentration of one or more air contaminants along a line of measurement, e.g., a fenceline.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, which comprises: a main interferometer section including a beam splitter, a fixed mirror, a movable mirror, and a phase plate disposed between the beam splitter and the fixed mirror; a control interferometer section having a quadrature control system for calculating a position of the movable mirror; a center-burst-position detection section operable, based on an input of interference signals and interferograms, to subject respective intensities of the interferograms to an addition processing while correcting a positional deviation of the movable mirror, so as to obtain a cumulative interferogram, and detecting a center burst position having a maximum intensity value in the cumulative interferogram; a center-burst-position storage section operable to store the detected center burst position; and a measurement-start-position determination section operable, based on the stored center burst position, to determine a measurement start position of the mova

Abstract: A laser mark which will be the positioning mark for a secondary charged particle image in the charged particle beam apparatus is applied by moving the sample processing/observation area in the charged particle beam apparatus so as to come into the view field while performing an observation by an infrared microscope, and by a using a laser optical system disposed coaxially with an optical observation system, the mark made at the periphery of the processing/observation object area. Next, by a superposition of an infrared transmission image and a CAD data, the processing/observation object area and the laser mark are registered onto the CAD data. And, by a correlation of the registered data read from the charged particle beam apparatus and the secondary charged particle image, it is possible to accurately and easily determine the processing position.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for standardising an infrared spectrometer based on spectral patterns of constituents of atmospheric air naturally occurring in the spectrometer. The invention also provides a spectrometer applying the method. The method selects a spectral pattern in a recorded spectrum and determines a wavelength dependent position value for a feature, such as the centre of the pattern. This value is compared to a reference value that may be obtained from a spectrum recorded by a master instrument, and a standardisation formula can be determined. The absorption peaks from CO2 (g) around 2350 cm?1 are preferred as the selected pattern. The method renders the use of reference samples unnecessary and allows for the standardisation to be performed simultaneously with the recording of a spectrum of a sample of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-invasive method to diagnose the changes of molecular structures of organism tissues from body surface and a dedicated apparatus. The apparatus is comprised of a Fourier Transform infrared spectrometer and a set of additional accessories. Said additional accessories include a mid-IR fiber optics sampling attachment, a fiber coupling part, and an infrared detector part. The detection method is comprised of placing the ATR probe of the dedicated apparatus on the skin surface of a region to be tested, and scanning more than one time in which the resolution of the apparatus is 1-32 cm?1 and the range of the spectrum is 800-4000 cm?1. It is possible to detect changes in molecular structures of living biological tissues in the early stages of cancer, and testees will not feel uncomfortable during testing. The method is easy to operate, quick, accurate, and it doesn't harm the body.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to determine the cetane number of a diesel fuel containing a fatty acid alkyl ester including determining the infrared spectrum of the fuel and correlating the spectrum to the cetane number using a multivariate-based Mid-FTIR model. The fatty acid alkyl ester may be rapeseed methyl ester and the infrared spectrum includes the frequency ranges 4900-3500 cm?1 and 2200-1624 cm?1 or the frequency ranges 4900-3500 cm?1 2200-1800 cm?1 and 1700-1624 cm?1.

Abstract: During carrying out metallurgical processes in plant components such as, e.g., a converter, knowledge of a time-dependent exhaust gas composition provides a significant aid in obtaining information about the process advancement. Known analytical methods consist in taking of a limited volume from the exhaust gas flow (7) and then analyzing this exhaust gas sample. The drawback of an analytical method, which is based on sampling, consists in the time delay with which the results of the analysis can be first obtained after sampling. The invention proposes to carry out a non-contact exhaust gas analysis without a time delay using FTIR-spectrometry, whereby obtained spectra of a FTIR-spectrometer (2) are used for calculating the exhaust gas composition, using a preliminary established mathematical model (Drawing figure).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that permit an analyte concentration to be estimated from a measurement in the presence of compounds that interfere with the measurement. The method reduces the error in the analyte concentration in the presence of interferents. The method includes the use of a set of measurements obtained for a large population having a range of known analyte and interfering compound concentrations. From a sample measurement, which may or may not be one of the population, likely present interferents are identified, and a calibration vector is calculated.

Abstract: A method and device for evaluating a printing medium for use in a printing process, in which a set of spectral data is generated from a sample of the printing medium, and the set of spectral data is analysed. The analysis of the set of spectral data comprises detecting spectral data of the set indicative of features of the printing medium related to performance of that printing medium in the printing process. The performance of the printing medium in the printing process is predicted in response to the detected spectral data of the set indicative of performance-related printing medium features, and the printing medium is accepted or refused for use in the printing process in response to this printing medium performance prediction.

Abstract: Optical corrosion monitoring and detection systems as well as methods to detect and monitor corrosion under process conditions and generally in real time using electromagnetic radiation, particularly light. The systems generally provide for incident light to be allowed to reflect from a coating which is exposed to the corroding action of the process stream. As the coating is corroded, the intensity, or other function, of the incident light is changed and this change is detected and used to extrapolate a level of corrosion.

Abstract: A Thermal Luminescent (TL) spectroscopy system and method for remote sensing and detection of surface chemical contamination involves irradiation of a target surface with energy from a near infrared pump beam, and measurement of TL liberated by that surface within a middle infrared (MIR) region. Fundamental molecular vibration modes of target contaminants present are briefly activated after the surface has been driven out of thermal equilibrium. An emissivity contrast between strata and target contaminant develops, peaks, and then subsides during a finite thermal window of detection opportunity in which detection of fingerprint identifiers for target contaminants is most probable. Target contaminant identification employs neural network models trained and tested against known molecular absorption frequencies of target contaminants. The use of a pump beam that radiates energy outside the MIR spectra of received TL reduces possible interference with the very weak MIR signals given off by target contaminants.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for acquiring an infrared spectrum of a sample having or suspected to have an amide I band, an amide II band, an amide III band, an amide A band, an OH stretching region or a combination thereof. A representative method includes providing a sample; providing an internal reflecting element (IRE) with a functionalized tip; contacting the sample with the IRE to form a sample-IRE interface; directing a beam of infrared (IR) radiation through the IRE under conditions such that the IR radiation interacts with the sample-IRE interface once; recording a reflectance profile over a range of preselected frequencies, whereby an infrared spectrum of the of a sample having or suspected of having an amide I band, an amide II band, an amide III band, an amide A band, an OH stretching region or a combination thereof, disposed in an aqueous solution is acquired.

Abstract: A process for the determination and correction of laser induced damages of the optical and electronic components within the beam path of a monitor module of a 193 nm excimer lasers is provided herein. Especially state of the art detectors like CCD cameras degrade under UV radiation. With a special correction of the sensitivity of each camera pixel this problem can be solved.

Abstract: A system for identifying a gas sample includes a canister, a docking station, a thermal desorption device, and a spectrometer. The canister includes a sorbent and a valve. The docking station is configured to removably engage the canister. When the canister is engaged with the docking station, the canister is capable of fluid communication with a gas cell via the valve.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods, materials, and devices for making and screening combinatorial libraries to identify semi-conducting and thermoelectric materials. The disclosed method includes preparing a combinatorial library of materials, and identifying library members that are semiconductors. The method may include determining a thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, for each member of a second combinatorial library of materials. The method determines ZT by applying an oscillatory voltage across the library members, measuring power dissipated by library members, and calculating ZT from the power dissipated. The method may also include isolating single-phase materials of the semiconducting library members. The present invention also discloses an apparatus for discovering thermoelectric materials using combinatorial techniques.

Abstract: A variety of methods and systems related to automated quantitative analyses via digital spectroscopy techniques can be used to determine the quantity of one or more analytes in a sample. A parameter file can be used to control automated analysis. Suspect conditions related to parameters can be identified and-appropriate advisories provided. Suspect conditions related to analysis can be identified and appropriate warnings provided. Various algorithmic techniques are supported and can be selected by a user by modifying parameters via a parameter-editing user interface presented by software.

Abstract: Stand-alone multiple gas analysis apparatus, of relatively small physical size, integrates one or more supplemental sensors, such as a self-heating, amperometric, limiting current-type oxygen sensor and/or a titania nanotube-type hydrogen sensor, into the sampling cell gas flow components of an FT-IR gas analyzer. The apparatus enables simultaneous quantitative concentration measurements of infrared-active gases and of infrared-inactive atomic species and homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as of oxygen and hydrogen.

Abstract: A non-destructive method is provided for determining amount and distribution of a corrosion product on a metallic substrate. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate without corrosion is determined. A value of infrared energy reflected from the metallic substrate with the corrosion product is determined. A value of infrared energy absorbed in the corrosion product is determined, and the value of the infrared energy absorbed in the corrosion product is correlated to an amount of the corrosion product.

Abstract: The present invention uses laser diodes in conjunction with a holographic diffuser and lens assembly to generate and effectively disperse the radiation (infrared light) in a spectrum and pattern that is interpreted as heat by certain vision systems to effectively interfere with the electronic processing capability of the vision systems.

Abstract: An optical spectrometer for combustion flame temperature determination includes at least two photodetectors positioned for receiving light from a combustion flame, each of the at least two photodetectors having a different, overlapping bandwidth for detecting a respective output signal in an ultraviolet emission band; and a computer for subtracting a respective output signal of a first one of the at least two photodetectors from a respective output signal of a second one of the at least two photodetectors to obtain a segment signal, and using the segment signal to determine the combustion flame temperature.

Abstract: A compact spectrometer operable in a wavelength range of 4.5 or more microns includes an entrance slit, a collimating mirror, a grating, a focusing mirror and a first focal plane. At least some radiation passing through the slit follows an optical path in which at least some radiation passing through the slit is reflected by the collimating mirror onto the grating, which in turn reflects at least some radiation onto the focusing mirror, which in turn reflects and focuses at least some radiation at a first focal plane and onto the two-dimensional array of detectors. Each column in the two-dimensional array of detectors corresponds to a wavelength in the 4.5 or more micron range. The two-dimensional array includes a plurality of columns that collectively correspond to wavelengths spanning the 4.5 or more micron range, and each adjacent pair of columns in the two-dimensional array of detectors corresponds to two wavelengths that differ by an equal amount.

Abstract: An infrared spectrometer system with automated tablet sampling includes an infrared spectrometer providing a modulated output beam to a sample position, and reflected and transmitted light detectors. A tablet holding wheel is mounted to advance multiple tablets one at a time to the sample position. The tablet holding wheel includes a tablet wheel base having a plurality of transmission openings therein in a circular pattern around a central axis of the base, grippers adjacent to each of the transmission openings that are movable inwardly and outwardly, and a cam ring mounted to and rotatable with respect to the tablet wheel base, the cam ring being operatively engaged with the grippers to move the grippers outwardly and inwardly to engage and hold tablets over the transmission openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for accomplishing noise reduction in a photoacoustic gas detector using a sound damping element and/or a background or reference microphone where a preferably larger external volume that acts as a sound damping element (SDE) is coupled to a smaller volume through which the gas diffuses. The coupling is accomplished in such a way that the externally generated sound waves incident upon the photoacoustic detector are adequately attenuated by the larger volume SDE without adversely affecting diffusion of the gaseous species of interest through the smaller volume for measurement by the detector. Preferably this is accomplished by coupling the larger SDE volume to the smaller gas diffusion volume by a long and thin pressure channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved interferometer design. Embodiments of the present invention provide a beam splitter, mounted with first and second reflective elements. An OPD element mounts relative to the other elements such that an optical path in the interferometer passes through the OPD element. The OPD element can be, for example, a plate comprising a refractive material mounted such that the thickness of the refractive material encountered by the optical path through the OPD element is variable. Various arrangements of components are described, and methods of constructing and methods of aligning such interferometers are also described.

Abstract: A Fourier transforming infrared spectrometer includes an optical element made of a material with deliquescence property, a chamber for housing the optical element, and a drying unit disposed in the chamber for discharging moisture condensed at a cooling portion of the drying unit provided in the chamber to the outside. The drying unit may be a Peltier element.

Abstract: A combined analyzing apparatus includes (i) a front end unit including a photoacoustic spectroscope that takes a gas sample inside and analyzes the gas sample by a photoacoustic spectroscopy, (ii) a light analyzing apparatus that takes the analyzed gas sample inside and analyzes the gas sample based on a change of light which is transmitted through the gas sample, and (iii) a mass analyzing apparatus that further takes the analyzed gas sample inside and analyzes a mass of an ingredient of the gas sample. The combined analyzing apparatus also includes (iv) a battery that supplies the front end unit, and the light analyzing apparatus and the mass analyzing apparatus with electric power source, and (v) a portable case that houses the front end unit, the light analyzing apparatus, the mass analyzing apparatus and the battery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-component gas analyzing method using FTIR, which can correct for an influence of a coexistent gas due to an intensity change in the spectrum itself that occurs depending on the base gas composition so that it is possible to carry out, a measurement with high precision. A plurality of components in a sample are quantitatively analyzed based upon an absorption spectrum obtained by FTIR. After having calculated multi-component concentrations from a mixed gas spectrum by using a quantitative algorithm, calculations are further carried out so as to correct for a change in spectrum due to a coexistent gas component with respect to part of target components.

Abstract: A method capable of acquiring data at a high speed while holding proper precision during measurement with an infrared imaging apparatus uses an FTIR device of a continuous scan type for detecting a signal by a multi-element detector. A method which acquires data from a multi-element detector in an infrared imaging apparatus. The method involves starting to scan an element of the said multi-element detector synchronously with a sampling signal based on a reference signal of an interferometer, and scanning the element at a higher frequency than a sampling frequency of the sampling signal. The method further involves completing the scanning of all the elements before a next sampling signal to the sampling signal starting the element scanning is generated, and repeating a series of operations every time the sampling signal is generated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for the objective qualitative analysis of liquid vinification compositions, comprising memory means (8) in which are recorded calibrating values of spectroscopic criteria for a group of characteristic parameters comprising the concentration levels of at least a compound produced by Botrytis cinerea, at least a compound produced by yeasts, at least a compound produced by the acetic bacteria, and at least a compound produced by lactic acid bacteria, means (1, 2, 3, 4, 6) for producing a continuous infrared spectrum, and means (7) for calculating the value (VP) of each characteristic parameter in the composition from the spectrum.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a data acquiring method in an infrared imaging apparatus comprising an FTIR device of a continuous scan type for detecting a signal by a multi-element detector. A method of acquiring data from a multi-element detector in an infrared imaging apparatus comprising the steps of scanning each element of the multi-element detector in order synchronously with a sampling signal (12) generated by a reference signal (10) of an interferometer and repeating a series of scanning operations after completely scanning all the elements, thereby carrying out scan, shifting a starting point of sampling in next scan by one element from the starting point of the previous scan, thereby carrying out the same scanning, and repeating the scan at the number of times corresponding to the number of all the elements and then extracting data for each element from storing sampling data, thereby acquiring a data sequence of all the sampling points for each element.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing pathology, such as carcinoma, in a biological sample identifies presence of pathology based on the existence of an infrared markers in the extracellular material, rather than cells, in the biological sample. In the case of breast cancer diagnosis, an effective marker is a baseline slope of a 1280 cm?1 band in the infrared spectra of connective tissue, with normal biopsy samples exhibiting a positive slope and cancerous samples showing a relatively flat baseline. Infrared spectroscopy, both microscopic and macroscopic, may be used to identify a sample region containing extracellular material and to collect infrared absorbance data, from which the existence of the pathology marker is determined.

Abstract: Stand-alone multiple gas analysis apparatus, of relatively small physical size, integrates one or more supplemental sensors, such as a self-heating, amperometric, limiting current-type oxygen sensor and/or a titania nanotube-type hydrogen sensor, into the sampling cell gas flow components of an FT-IR gas analyzer. The apparatus enables simultaneous quantitative concentration measurements of infrared-active gases and of infrared-inactive atomic species and homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as of oxygen and hydrogen.

Abstract: Ultrathin silicon oxide films thermally grown on Si(100) are characterized with Mirror-Enhanced Polarized Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (MEPR-FTIR). MEPR-FTIR is proposed to effectively probe properties of ultra-thin films. Using a mirror and a polarizer, MEPR-FTIR overcomes the difficulty of weak IR intensities normally encountered in ultrathin gate dielectrics such as SiO2 and the intensity of the silicon oxide longitudinal optical (LO) mode is found to increase by a factor of about 20. Therefore, FTIR spectrometers with sensitivity down to 0.01% may allow even sub-monolayer probing of silicon oxide on Si substrates.

Abstract: An FT-IR microscope is operated in association with a scanning spectrometer in such a way that incremental movement of the movable stage of 5 the microscope is synchronized with the scans of the scanning spectrometer. This minimizes delays in processing time.