Sampling with the ATR Technique

Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessories are especially useful for obtaining IR spectra of samples that cannot be readily examined by common transmission methods. Such accessories are suitable for studying thick or highly absorbing solid and liquid samples, including films, coatings, powders, threads, adhesives, polymers, and aqueous samples. ATR requires only little sample preparation for most samples, it is one of the most versatile sampling techniques. 

ATR is a surface and interface investigation method. The penetration depth is of the order of a few tenths of the wavelength of investigation, in the IR between 0.5 and 10 pm (cf Eq. (10) in Chapter 5). A variety of ATR accessories is available including various kinds of liquid cells or even horizontal units for cell-less investiga- 

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