Infrared Spec­tro­scopy

InfraTec's PYRONEER high-performance detectors are used in spectroscopy. Depending on the requirements of the test task, these are based on high-quality lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) or deuterated L-alanine-doped triglycine sulphate (DLaTGS). Both materials offer their respective advantages. Lithium tantalate is very robust, temperature-stable and requires no cooling, while DLaTGS is a high-performance, pyroelectrically sensitive material with three times the detectivity (D*) at modulation frequencies in the kHz range.

Thanks to a special precious metal black layer, the high-performance detectors absorb radiation extremely uniformly over a very wide wavelength range from 2 µm to well over 20 µm.

For spectrometer applications, pyroelectric detectors can be optimized with regard to the time constants to ensure short reaction times and modulation frequencies up to a few kilohertz. Customers use our detectors in highly specialized laser spectrometers for the measurement of lowest gas concentrations down to ppb level as well as in universally usable FTIR spectrometers.

Knowing the exact composition of solids, liquids and gases is relevant under different aspects. Usually the quality and quantity of any organic and inorganic compounds are to be determined. The applications of infrared spectroscopy are correspondingly broad. The method is often used for the following purposes:

• Environmental and climate research: measure emissions, identify plastics in waste sorting, detect leaks on supply lines, determine the composition of the atmosphere

• Measurement on surfaces: detect contaminants, ensure complete coating with lubricants, determine the type and thickness of coatings

• Explosive atmospheres: e.g. detect if dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist are present

• Medical technology: monitor anaesthetic gases, capnography, determine the chemical composition of tissue by spectral measurement to detect diseases, test breath alcohol

• Oil analysis: e. g. monitor the condition of used transmission oil

• Food quality control: e.g. analyse the composition of food ingredients

• Forensics: e.g. identify textile fibres, identify counterfeits

• Pharmaceutical analysis: test newly formulated medicinal products

• Analysis of polymers and plastics: e. g. identify compounds, identify impurities

• Process control: e.g. monitor the compliance with material specifications