Pocket-sized variable filter array spectrometer that enables users to obtain spectra on a wide variety of materials wherever they occur and offers advantages over FT-IR instruments
A new pocket-sized (13x13x4cm) infrared instrument that enables users to obtain spectra on a wide variety of materials wherever they occur - at the production line or in the field - has just been introduced by Wilks Enterprise.
The InfraCal variable filter array (VFA) spectrometer represents a new concept in mid-IR instrumentation which utilises a detector array with linear variable filter.
This results in a compact, portable spectrometer that has a number of advantages over conventional infrared instruments such as the widely-used FT-IR spectrometer.
Such advantages include no optical path through air, no moving parts, light weight (about 2kg), portable (battery operated), rugged, and low cost.
The new InfraCal VFA spectrometer consists of an ATR sample plate with an elongated, pulsable source mounted close to one end and a linear variable filter attached to a detector array mounted close to the other end.
The detector array has 64 elements giving an approximate 12 wavenumber resolution in the mid-IR.
An RS232 communications port provides direct connection to a PC.
Standard variable filter ranges are 2.5 to 5.0mm and 5.5 to 11mm.
Mid-IR spectra are easily obtained on such samples as powders, films, liquids, slurries, semi-solids and solid surfaces.
The spectrometer is usable in plant, field and laboratory environments.
The VFA spectrometer can be used like an FT-IR spectrometer; however, much of the software program has been geared towards repetitive process analysis applications. Typical software features include running spectra against a source emission/crystal transmission background Io or against a solvent background such as water; running spectra as deviations from a standard mixture for QC applications; running repetitive spectra to follow reactions; or displaying numerically percentages or weight per volume of components in a mixture.
