Overview
The Mid Infrared Spectromicroscopy beamline (Mid-IR) provides state-of-the-art Fourier Transform IR spectroscopy and microcroscopy. At Mid-IR we have three endstations that specialize in synchrotron radiation spectromicroscopy, chemical infrared imaging and time-resolved measurements. Please check out each instrument page for more details.
The Bruker endstation is optimized for high-brightness, diffraction-limited spectromicroscopy with synchrotron infrared radiation.
The Agilent endstation is optimized for high spatial resolution, large field of view chemical infrared imaging.
The IRsweep endstation is optimized for high signal-to-noise, time-resolved spectroscopy measurements with microsecond time resolution.
Our Mission
At Mid-IR we aim to provide state-of-the-art instruments to access high quality data and to build a national network of infrared researchers and users from coast-to-coast. We strive for excellent user support through all project stages including design, measurement and data analysis.
What is infrared spectromicroscopy?
FTIR spectromicroscopy visually identifies the spatial distribution of specific chemical functionalities. The physics of long wavelength infrared light limits the spatial resolution, and the diffraction-limited spatial resolution is theoretically predicted to be 3 - 10 µm in the 4000 - 900 cm⁻¹ range.
A white light microscope is co-linear with the infrared microscope, and a visual image is collected of the sample. From this image, a feature or region of interest is selected. The infrared spectromicroscopy map or image is collected using an infrared sensitive detector. The resulting spectra can then be analyzed and used to identify the spatial distribution of chemical species or changes. To learn more, see further reading.
