Anyone know how to work an FTIR?

Question

anonymous · Answer

do you mean FLIR??

aaronq · Answer

fourier transform infrared spectroscope

whpalmer4 · Answer

Geez, I just answered that like 3 times today ;-)

I'm a little surprised that you have access to a FTIR without access to documentation on how to use it...

aaronq · Answer

haha well no i'm using it just yet, just preparing on some theoretical knowledge.

I need to know the minimum distance the moving mirror would have to transit to resolve between 2 very close wavelengths. I know this means they would have to undergo destructive interference, a "beat". I'm wondering if it's as simple as moving the mirror back enough so that a least the shortest wavelength undergoes destructive interference itself?

whpalmer4 · Answer

Yeah, all I know is how to spell FTIR and what the acronym means.  Even the manual may not prove helpful on the theory, seems like documentation for a lot of gear is just intended to show you how to operate it, not instruct on how and why it works.  What are you planning to study with the FTIR?

aaronq · Answer

well i'm not studying a certain molecule, i'm studying why/how the actual machine works (instrumental analytical chemistry). We were given questions but no real procedure on how to solve them and i've looked online with no definitive answer. thanks anywho