Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy step-scan method

Vibrational spectroscopy represents two physically different, yet complementary spectroscopic techniques IR and Raman spectroscopy. Although both methods have been utilised for many years, recent advances in electronics, computer technologies and sampling made Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman (FT-Raman) one of the most powerful and versatile analytical tools. Enhanced sensitivity and surface selectivity allows non-invasive, no-vacuum molecular level analysis of surface and interfaces. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in attenuated total reflectance (ATR), step-scan photoacoustic (SS-PA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and FT-Raman microscopies, as utilised to the analysis of polymeric surfaces and interfaces. A combination of these probes allows detection of molecular level changes responsible for macroscopic changes in three dimensions from various depths. 7 refs. 

Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) is another excellent method to study protein folding. Unlike the well-known use of FTIR as a method for the identification of functional groups, in terms of protein structure this method allows the determination of secondary structure. The frequency of vibration of the amide I band of the peptide chain (1500-1600 cm M heavily depends on the structure of the protein. FTIR has the advantage of being more sensitive for the study of proteins that contain (3-sheet elements as compared to CD. Furthermore, since FTIR spectroscopy can be applied to solids also, it allows the structural analysis of aggregated protein deposits. The availability of the rapid step-scan method for FTIR is also very useful for the study of rapid folding reactions (see Vibrational Spectroscopy). 

As mentioned in the introduction, a major advantage that Fourier transform spectroscopy has over laser spectroscopy is that it is straightforward to record the entire spectrum of a species at once. Diode lasers in the infrared are not continuously tunable and have mode gaps which can only be filled by switching diodes. Many ultraviolet lasers are not continuously tunable either. Tunable difference frequency methods and diode lasers involve much longer scan times than are necessary with a Fourier transform device. For example, the Bomem DA3.002 can scan a bandwidth of 100 or more wavenumbers in the mid-IR at a resolution of 0.005 cm-1 in less than 3 minutes. A diode laser which scans in 20 MHz steps may require more than a day to scan the same spectral region. 

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