Infrared Spectroscopy
Infrared spectroscopy is a well-established and widely spread measurement method in sensor technology. Due to the physical nature of the underlying sensing principle – infrared absorption of molecules – it is the technology of choice to highly selectively and stably determine concentrations of materials and compositions of mixtures of substances. InfraTec produces various detectors for analytical instruments and spectrometers.
Broadband Detectors for Laser and FTIR Spectroscopy
High-quality lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) is an extremely powerful and versatile detector material. It is not only less expensive than many other materials, e.g. deuterated triglycine sulfate (DTGS) or mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), but also exhibits outstanding temperature stability and linearity. Through a special metal black layer, InfraTec’s infrared detector absorbs radiation extremely uniformly over a very wide wavelength range from 2 µm to over 20 µm. The LiTaO3 pyroelectric detector does not require cooling nor temperature stabilization. Therefore, it ideally suits for cost-effective and robust spectrometers, especially for use outside the laboratory. Solutions based on detector materials like DTGS or MCT quickly reach their limits here. They are less suitable for such complex applications, are more prone to failure and cause higher costs.
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.
Applications of Infrared Spectroscopy
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
Detector Search
InfraTec offers five different product groups including approximately 50 standard pyroelectric detectors. Choose your suitable infrared detectors with the help of our detailed detector search.
