Trace gases absorption spectra

Synchroton radiation has been employed as a spectral source for a study of the absorption of HCN and DCN in the wavelength range 80—120nm. A vacuum-u.v. spectrophotometer for absorptions in the region 105—200 nm has been described. Solid-, liquid-, and gas-phase samples could be analysed at temperatures from —200 to 100 °C and at pressures between 0 and 150 atmospheres. The absorption spectrum of tra j-di-imide in the vacuum-u.v. has been measured. First-derivative u.v. spectroscopy has been employed in the analysis of Watts nickel plating solutions for trace amounts of saccharin. Impurity levels of 0.1 p.p.m. have been recorded. A wavelength modulated derivative spectrophotometer with a multi-pass absorption cell has been developed for the automatic analysis of atmospheric pollutants. Traces of SOj, NO, and NO2 were detected with limits of 15, 13, and Sp.p.b., respectively. A double-beam single-detector absorption spectrometer has been constructed. Independence... 

A majority of traditional NIR measurements are made on solid materials and these involve reflectance measurements, notably via diffuse reflectance. Likewise, in the mid-IR not all spectral measurements involve the transmission of radiation. Such measurements include internal reflectance (also known as attenuated total reflectance, ATR), external reflectance (front surface, mirror -style or specular reflectance), bulk diffuse reflectance (less common in the mid-IR compared to NIR), and photoacoustic determinations. Photoacoustic detection has been applied to trace-level gas measurements and commercial instruments are available based on this mode of detection. It is important to note that the photoacoustic spectrum is a direct measurement of infrared absorption. While most infrared spectra are either directly or indirectly correlated... 

Two final examples of the sensitivity and general applicability of the FTIR gas analysis technique are illustrated in Fig. 8. Trace (A) shows the spectrum obtained from an ultra-air filled 70 liter sampling bag into which had been injected, 18 hours previously, 4.8 microliters of TDI, toluene diisocyanate. On the basis of the single feature at 2273 cm l, it is estimated that 50 ppb TDI could be detected. The lower Trace (B), shows the spectrum of nickel carbonyl. This highly toxic but unstable gas was found to decay rapidly at ppm concentrations in ultra air (50% lifetime 15 minutes). Calibration of its spectrum was established by recording successive spectra at ten minute intervals and by attributing the increase in carbon monoxide concentration (calibration known) to an equivalent but four times slower decrease in nickel carbonyl concentration. The spectrum shown represents 0.6 ppm of the material. Note the extraordinary absorption strength. The detection limit is thus less than 10 ppb. 

Figure 4b shows a WDS scan of Trebilcock monazite (Tomascak et al. 1996), using a PIO gas-flow counter, for the portion of the X-ray spectrum discussed above. The figure shows the greater resolution between U MP and Th My vs. U Ma and Th MP, which necessitates a smaller correction for Th My interference (Scherrer et al. 2000, this study Table 2). Clearly, for elements present at minor or trace levels, background positions on opposite sides of the Ar K absorption edge have a pronounced effect on calculated peak-to-background count ratios. 

Fig.2.10 Example of a spectrum taken with a CCL-spectrome-ter, using a computer controlled mode of operation. The various traces are from top to bottom. 1) reference gas spectrum. 2)first derivative of ionic species. 3) concentration modulated absorption signals. 4) Interpolation marks from etalon .

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