Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Brian C. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 2011 | ISBN-10: 1420069292 | ISBN-13: 978-1420069297 | Edition: 2

Reflecting the myriad changes and advancements in the technologies involved in FTIR, particularly the development of diamond ATRs, this second edition of Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy has been extensively rewritten and expanded to include new topics and figures as well as updates of existing chapters.

Designed for those new to FTIR, but with enough reference material to appeal to journeyman and expert spectroscopists, this book does not demand any extensive familiarity with chemistry or physics. Specializing in concise and comprehensible explanations of FTIR topics, the author introduces the field of infrared spectroscopy, including the strengths and weaknesses of FTIR as a chemical analysis technique. He then describes the instrument itself and explores topics such as how an interferometer generates a spectrum, optimization of spectral quality, and which tests are used to monitor instrument health.

The book discusses how to properly use spectral processing to increase the information of a spectrum without damaging the data and takes considerable care in instructing on sample preparation, as good sample preparation constitutes half the battle in extracting good data. The final chapters examine single analyte quantitative analysis and conclude with an overview of infrared microscopy.

Drawing on the experience and knowledge of the author as both a professor and practitioner, Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy offers up-to-date information given in clear, easily understood language to appeal to beginner and expert spectroscopists alike.

The author maintains a website and blog with supplemental material. His training course schedule is also available online.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Brian C. Smith founded Spectros Associates in 1992. He has practiced spectroscopy for over 30 years, and has worked for companies such as Bell Labs and Bio-Rad. Dr. Smith is also an experienced trainer and thousands of people have benefited from his spectroscopy and software training. Dr. Smith is the author of Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Spectroscopy and Infrared Spectral Interpretation, published by CRC Press, and Quantitative Spectroscopy: Theory and Practice, published by Academic Press. Dr. Smith earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Dartmouth College, and graduated summa cum laude from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Chemistry.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 207 pages
• Publisher: CRC Press; 2 edition (March 9, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420069292
• ISBN-13: 978-1420069297
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #960,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Technique Not Technology, February 11, 2012

By 

Dr. Terrence McGarty (Florham Park, NJ) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Second Edition (Hardcover)

I purchased the book based on what I assumed would be a good discussion of the Fourier Transform applied to IR Spec. The book is reasonably good regarding the technique, namely what to do when and where. As regards to the technology it is in my opinion totally wanting.

Let me explain with a few examples:

1. Fourier Transform Analysis: This is at the forefront of the title and I expected a reasonable description of the reasons why the FT applied and the mathematical procedures for getting the inverse FT and thus the spectrum. It was totally lacking as far as I could see.

2. The lack of FT development then leads to a lack of such things as sampling rates, windowing, DFT versus FFT and the like. Namely how well can one resolve the spectrum and what are the issue regarding the specific applications of DFT to the raw data. What of the sample errors and how do they apply. All missing.

3. The ability to get source and transmission spectra and then source alone and then the ability to subtract them was not fully discussed. Thus any errors in spectral analysis resulting from methods of analysis were missing. As were sampling rates and sample bit size.

4. Discussion of core IR spectral issues were at best lightly discussed. I had expected a more through discussion and how and why FT would be best and what limitation there could be.

As I indicated this did talk of technique but in my opinion lack any adequate detail of technology. It was not in my opinion a book useful for those seeking to understand and extend the process.