Fostering the Application of Vibrational Spectroscopy through New Instruments and Methods

Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopies are indispensable techniques for unknown chemical identification, materials characterization, molecular structure studies, and quantitative analyses. A theme of our work over the last several decades has been to enable more users to avail themselves of vibrational spectroscopic tools. We endeavor to develop new products to solve new problems and fill unmet needs or application gaps. Commercial success is a good indicator of product success in meeting the technical goals. In the mid-1980s Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers were still not within the reach of many laboratories due to budget constraints and complicated operation. A new FT-IR spectrometer was developed that was economical, and for students or industrial problem-solvers, was easier to operate and provided the death-knell for scanning dispersive infrared spectrometer technology. New problems in the micro domain called for instrumentation to record spectra from microscopic specimens. Although the initial impetus was visible micro-contamination in industrial products, many new application areas were opened with the development of microscopes for FT-IR spectroscopy. The events of 9/11 and the subsequent anthrax letters (and hoaxes) exposed significant gaps in civil and military chemical defense technologies. Portable and hand-held FT-IR and Raman spectrometers significantly changed hazardous materials response and sensitive site exploitation. The author will provide some examples of his experience in bringing new technologies to bear in these aforementioned areas and others.