what is ftir

FTIR stands for Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, which is a technique used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of a solid, liquid, or gas. The technique uses infrared light to scan test samples and observe chemical properties. FTIR spectrometers measure all frequencies simultaneously, resulting in significantly faster acquisition times with improved signal to noise ratios and wavenumber accuracy. The specificity of the IR spectrum produced allows rapid "chemical fingerprinting" of samples with endless applications from industry to academia. FTIR can be used in all applications where a dispersive spectrometer was used in the past, and the improved sensitivity and speed have opened up new areas of application. FTIR spectroscopy is an established technique for quality control when evaluating industrially manufactured material, and can often serve as the first step in the material analysis process.