Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) Sampling in Infrared Spectroscopy of Heterogeneous Materials Requires Reproducible Pressure Control

• NCJ Number: 252315
• Journal: Applied Spectroscopy Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Dated: 2017 Pages: 97-104
• Author(s): Zhenyu Lu; Brianna M. Cassidy; Stephanie A. Dejong; Raymond G. Belliveau; Michael L. Myrick; Stephen L. Morgan
• Date Published: 2017
• Length: 8 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-IJ-CX-K055
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Award: Multimode Imaging in the Thermal Infrared: Validation for Blood, Extension to Latent Prints

Annotation

The authors of this article report that while collecting data from fabrics with heterogeneous coatings using infrared spectroscopy, they observed systematic pressure-dependent changes in spectra that can be eliminated by more reproducible pressure control; and they also describe a pressure sensor adapted to work with an attenuated total reflection (ATR) tower to enable more precise control of pressure during ATR sampling.

Abstract

Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy, in which the sample is pressed against an internal reflection element, is a popular technique for rapid IR spectral collection; however, depending on the accessory design, the pressure applied to the sample is not always well controlled. (Publisher abstract modified)