 FT-IR stands for Fourier Transform Infrared.

In infrared spectroscopy, IR
radiation is passed through a sample. Some of the infrared radiation is
absorbed by the sample and some of it is transmitted.

 The resulting spectrum represents the molecular absorption and transmission,

creating a molecular fingerprint of the sample.

 Like a fingerprint no two unique molecular structures produce the same

infrared spectrum. This makes infrared spectroscopy useful for polymer
analysis.

The Sample Analysis Process:

The normal instrumental process is as follows:

1. The Source: Infrared energy is emitted from a glowing black-body source.

2. The Interferometer: The beam enters the interferometer where the “spectral
encoding” takesplace. The resulting interferogram signal then exits the interferometer.

3.The Sample: The beam enters the sample compartment where it is transmitted
through or reflected off of the surface of the sample, depending on the type of analysis
being accomplished. This is where specific frequencies of energy, which are uniquely
characteristic of the sample, are absorbed.

4.The Detector: The beam finally passes to the detector for final measurement. The
detectors used are specially designed to measure the special interferogram signal.

5.The Computer: The measured signal is digitized and sent to the computer where
the Fourier transformation takes place. The final infrared spectrum is then presented
to the user for interpretation and any further manipulation.

Because there needs to be a relative scale for the absorption intensity, a

background spectrum must also be measured. This is normally a measurement with
no sample in the beam. This can be compared to the measurement with the sample in
the beam to determine the “percent transmittance.” This technique results in a
spectrum which has all of the instrumental characteristics removed.

Thus, all spectral features which are present are strictly due to the
sample. A single background measurement can be used for many sample
measurements because this spectrum is characteristic of the instrument itself.

The goal is to measure how well a sample absorbs light

Scanning spectroscopy is the most straightforward way

It shines a monochromatic light beam…

…and measures how much is absorbed

FT spectroscopy is a less intuitive way to obtain the same information

A beam contains many frequencies of light at once and absorption of that beam is
measured

Next, beam is modified to give a second data point

Process is repeated many times

Afterwards, computer processing is required

Just as people have unique fingerprints, molecules also have unique fingerprints.
Identical molecules have identical fingerprints. Since every molecule has a unique
arrangement of bonded atoms, every molecule absorbs a different set of infra red
frequencies. FT - IR spectra for O—H group based cotton fiber and ester group based
polyester are different. In case of Polyester, absorbency peaks and intensity denotes
the presence of ester group in its structure. Thus natural and manmade fibers can be
easily distinguished with FT - IR.

It also enables identification of the smallest contaminants. This makes FT - IR an

invaluable tool for quality control or quality assurance applications of textile materials.
Based on this FT - IR spectroscopy, identifying cotton trash components and foreign
matter is possible.

It can be used in measuring the degree of polymerization in polymer structure.

It helps in defining degree of crystallinity attained by polymer during processing.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a technique which is used to obtain
an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of a solid, liquid or gas.

The goal of any absorption spectroscopy (FTIR, ultraviolet-visible ("UV-Vis")

spectroscopy, etc.) is to measure how well a sample absorbs light at each wavelength.
The most straightforward way to do this, the "dispersive spectroscopy" technique, is to
shine a monochromatic light beam at a sample, measure how much of the light is
absorbed, and repeat for each different wavelength. (This is how UV-Vis spectrometers
work, for example.)

Fourier transform spectroscopy is a less intuitive way to obtain the same information.
Rather than shining a monochromatic beam of light at the sample, this technique
shines a beam containing many frequencies of light at once, and measures how much
of that beam is absorbed by the sample. Next, the beam is modified to contain a
different combination of frequencies, giving a second data point. This process is
repeated many times. Afterwards, a computer takes all these data and works
backwards to infer what the absorption is at each wavelength.
 Fig: Schematic diagram of a Michelson interferometer, configured for FTIR

The beam described above is generated by starting with a broadband light source—one
containing the full spectrum of wavelengths to be measured. The light shines into a
Michelson interferometer—a certain configuration of mirrors, one of which is moved by
a motor. As this mirror moves, each wavelength of light in the beam is periodically
blocked, transmitted, blocked, transmitted, by the interferometer, due to wave
interference. Different wavelengths are modulated at different rates, so that at each
moment, the beam coming out of the interferometer has a different spectrum.

As mentioned, computer processing is required to turn the raw data (light absorption
for each mirror position) into the desired result (light absorption for each wavelength).
The processing required turns out to be a common algorithm called the Fourier
transform (hence the name, "Fourier transform spectroscopy"). The raw data is
sometimes called an "interferogram".

One of the most basic tasks in spectroscopy is to characterize the spectrum of a light
source: How much light is emitted at each different wavelength. The most
straightforward way to measure a spectrum is to pass the light through a
monochromator, an instrument that blocks all of the light except the light at a certain
wavelength (the un-blocked wavelength is set by a knob on the monochromator). Then
the intensity of this remaining (single-wavelength) light is measured. The measured
intensity directly indicates how much light is emitted at that wavelength. By varying
the monochromator's wavelength setting, the full spectrum can be measured. This
simple scheme in fact describes how some spectrometers work.

Fourier transform spectroscopy is a less intuitive way to get the same information.
Rather than allowing only one wavelength at a time to pass through to the detector,
this technique lets through a beam containing many different wavelengths of light at
once, and measures the total beam intensity. Next, the beam is modified to contain a
different combination of wavelengths, giving a second data point. This process is
repeated many times. Afterwards, a computer takes all this data and works backwards
to infer how much light there is at each wavelength.

To be more specific, between the light source and the detector, there is a certain
configuration of mirrors that allows some wavelengths to pass through but blocks
others (due to wave interference). The beam is modified for each new data point by
moving one of the mirrors; this changes the set of wavelengths that can pass through.
As mentioned, computer processing is required to turn the raw data (light intensity for
each mirror position) into the desired result (light intensity for each wavelength). The
processing required turns out to be a common algorithm called the Fourier transform
(hence the name, "Fourier transform spectroscopy"). The raw data is sometimes called
an "interferogram". Because of the existing computer equipment requirements, and
the ability of light to analyze very small amounts of substance, it is often beneficial to
automate many aspects of the sample preparation. The sample can be better preserved
and the results are much easier to replicate. Both of these benefits are important, for
instance, in testing situations that may later involve legal action, such as those
involving drug specimens.[2]

The method of Fourier transform spectroscopy can also be used for absorption
spectroscopy. The primary example is "FTIR Spectroscopy", a common technique in
chemistry.

In general, the goal of absorption spectroscopy is to measure how well a sample

absorbs or transmits light at each different wavelength. Although absorption
spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy are different in principle, they are closely
related in practice; any technique for emission spectroscopy can also be used for
absorption spectroscopy. First, the emission spectrum of a broadband lamp is
measured (this is called the "background spectrum"). Second, the emission spectrum
of the same lamp shining through the sample is measured (this is called the "sample
spectrum"). The sample will absorb some of the light, causing the spectra to be
different. The ratio of the "sample spectrum" to the "background spectrum" is directly
related to the sample's absorption spectrum.

Accordingly, the technique of "Fourier transform spectroscopy" can be used both for
measuring emission spectra (for example, the emission spectrum of a star), and
absorption spectra (for example, the absorption spectrum of a liquid).
  Most interferometers employ a beam splitter which takes the incoming
infrared beam and divides it into two optical beams.

 One beam reflects off of a flat mirror which is fixed in place. The other
beam reflects off of a flat mirror which is on a mechanism which allows this
mirror to move a very short distance (typically a few millimeters) away from the
beamsplitter.

 The two beams reflect off of their respective mirrors and are recombined
when they meet back at the beamsplitter. Because the path that one beam
travels is a fixed length and the other is constantly changing as its mirror
moves, the signal which exits the interferometer is the result of these two
beams “interfering” with each other.

 The resulting signal is called an interferogram which has the unique

property that every data point (a function of the moving mirror position) which
makes up the signal has information about every infrared frequency which
comes from the source.

 This means that as the interferogram is measured, all frequencies are

being measured simultaneously. Thus, the use of the interferometer results in
extremely fast measurements.

 Because the analyst requires a frequency spectrum (a plot of the

intensity at each individual frequency) in order to make an identification, the
measured interferogram signal can not be interpreted directly.

 A means of “decoding” the individual frequencies is required. This can

be accomplished via a well-known mathematical technique called the Fourier
transformation. This transformation is performed by the computer which then
presents the user with the desired spectral information for analysis.

Dispersive infrared spectrometers suffer from several disadvantages in

sensitivity, speed and wavelength accuracy. Most of the light from the source does not
in fact pass through the sample to the detector, but is lost in the narrowness of the
focusing slits; only poor sensitivity results. Since the spectrum takes minutes to
record, the method cannot be applied to fast processes.

Dispersive infrared spectrometers scan over the wavelength range and

disperse the light by use of a grating, these spectrometers suffer from wavelength
inaccuracies associated with the backlash in the mechanical movements, such as in
the rotation of mirrors and gratings.
 An entirely different principle is involved in Fourier Transform infrared
spectroscopy, which centres on a Michelson interferometer, so that the method can
also be called interferometric infrared spectroscopy.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is preferred over dispersive or

filter methods of infrared spectral analysis for several reasons:

• It is a non-destructive technique.

• It provides a precise measurement method which requires no external calibration.

• It can increase speed, collecting a scan every second.

• It can increase sensitivity.

• It has greater optical throughput.

• It is mechanically simple with only one moving part.

Not for exam

The Michelson interferometer is common configuration for optical interferometry and

was invented by Albert Abraham Michelson. Using a beamsplitter, a light source is
split into two arms. Each of those is reflected back toward the beamsplitter which then
combines their amplitudes interferometrically.

 So, what information can FT-IR provide?

 It can identify unknown materials

 It can determine the quality of a sample

 It can determine the amount of components in a mixture