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Concept
Applied spectroscopy
Summary
Applied spectroscopy is the application of various spectroscopic methods for the detection and identification of different elements or compounds to solve problems in fields like forensics, medicine, the oil industry, atmospheric chemistry, and pharmacology.
A common spectroscopic method for analysis is Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), where chemical bonds can be detected through their characteristic infrared absorption frequencies or wavelengths. These absorption characteristics make infrared analyzers an invaluable tool in geoscience, environmental science, and atmospheric science. For instance, atmospheric gas monitoring has been facilitated by the development of commercially available gas analyzers which can distinguish between carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitric oxide.
Ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy is used where strong absorption of UV radiation occurs in a substance. Such groups are known as chromophores and include aromatic groups, conjugated system of bonds, carbonyl groups and so on. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy detects hydrogen atoms in specific environments, and complements both infrared (IR) spectroscopy and UV spectroscopy. The use of Raman spectroscopy is growing for more specialist applications.
There are also derivative methods such as infrared microscopy, which allows very small areas to be analyzed in an optical microscope.
One method of elemental analysis that is important in forensic analysis is energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) performed in the environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The method involves analysis of back-scattered X-rays from the sample as a result of interaction with the electron beam. Automated EDX is further used in a range of automated mineralogy techniques for identification and textural mapping.
In all three spectroscopic methods, the sample usually needs to be present in solution, which may present problems during forensic examination because it necessarily involves sampling solid from the object to be examined.
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