International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences

REVIEW ARTICLE PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS

FT-IR SPECTROSCOPY: PRINCIPLE, TECHNIQUE AND MATHEMATICS

Corresponding Author

S. D. SAWANT
Sinhgad Technical Education Society’s Smt. Kashibai Navale College
of Pharmacy. Kondhwa (Bk), Pune, India.

Co Authors

A. A. BARAVKAR1, R. N. KALE1
1
SVPM’s College of Pharmacy, Malegaon (Bk), M.S., India.

ABSTRACT

Fourier Transform Infra Red spectroscopy (FT-IR) has wide applicability in

structure elucidation, which are either synthesized chemically or of natural origin. Now
a day, Fourier Transform Infra Red (FT-IR) Spectroscopy is extensively used for
quantitative as well as for qualitative analysis in almost all fields of science. It has
many advantages and applications as compared to dispersive infra red technology.

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KEYWORDS

FT-IR spectroscopy, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis.

INTRODUCTION
are recorded as function of frequency. In time
In 1887, Albert Michelson (German born domain spectroscopy, which is achieved by
American physician) perfected this instrument and Fourier Transform (FT), radiant power data is
used it for several measurements in his study of recorded as a function of time. In previous
light and relativity 1. case, radiant power (ν) is plotted against
frequency (ν1) (Hz) while in later, against the
PRINCIPLE time 2.
Conventional spectroscopy is frequency
domain spectroscopy in which radiant power data

Michelson interferometer (MI) changes recorded. The amplitude of each resolved

the frequency of electro magnetic radiation oscillations is a function of intensity of
(EMR) from source to proportionately slower radiation. A mathematical method called
oscillating signal. The sum of slower oscillating Fourier Transform (FT) is used to convert time
signal is carried to the computer which domain spectrum to conventional frequency
mathematically separates the signal into domain spectrum3.
individual oscillations and calculate the
oscillations of corresponding frequencies of CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING3
observed radiation. This data is continuously

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 FT-IR consists of a moving mirror, fixed identical and radiation of fixed wavelength will
mirror, beam splitter, IR radiation source and arrive in phase only to cell and detector.
detector. Instead of using monochromator, So we have to add or subtracts whole
Michelson interferometer is used for analysis of number of multiple of wavelength of radiation in
IR radiation after passing through sample. round trip distance between splitter and fixed
Radiation fro IR source is collimated by mirror mirror. If movable mirror moves by a factor λ/4,
and the resultant beam is divided at beam then round trip distance is altered by λ/2
splitter. Half of beam passes through mirror reflected radiation if out of phase with that
(fixed) and half refracted to moving mirror. After from stationary mirror and interferes
reflection by these two mirrors, two beams destructively while movable mirror moves by a
recombined at beam splitter and passes through factor λ/2, then round trip distance is altered by
cell and after that radiation is focused to λ/2 reflected radiation if in phase with that from
detector. stationary mirror and interferes constructively.
Movable mirror, moves back and forth at a The radiation striking the detector, after
distance of 21 cm. If round trip distance between passing through MI will be of lower frequency
beam splitter and fixed mirror is identical to that that source frequency. One cycle of the signal
of beam splitter and movable mirror, then only occurs when the mirror moves at a distance
the radiation from two mirrors arise in phase at that corresponds to half of wavelength (λ/2,). If
beam splitter, cell and to detector. As the the mirror is moving at constant velocity
movable mirror changes its position, the distance and we define τ as the time required for mirror
between mirror and beam splitter no longer to move distance of λ/2, then we can write 4

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 So as the distance changes, wavelength slowly for detector to measure. The detector
of radiation beams becomes in phase or out of simultaneously measures all of frequencies
phase depending on wavelength of incident that pass through the cell and routes the
radiation and rate at which movable mirror information to computer and this information is
moves. So that by controlling the rate of mirror decoded by FT and decoded spectrum is
motion a series of simultaneous signals that directed to read out device. Time from insertion
oscillate frequency which is directly proportional of sample to recording of plot is about 2 min.
to EMR frequency arrive at detector and oscillate

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MATHEMATICS OF FOURIER TRANSFORMATION

The cosine wave of interferogram shown in figure A can be described theoretically by following
equation
P(δ)= P( ) cos 2 f.t
P( )=Radiant power of beam
P(δ) =Radiant power of interferogram signal
But interferometer will not split the source exactly in half. So it is useful to introduce a new variable
B( ) in place of P( )

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So, P(δ)= B( ) cos 2 f.t
But, f=
So,
Above equation shows that magnitude of interferogram signal as function of wave no. of optical
signal.
But, ----Mirror velocity
So,
Interferogram in figure-B can be described by 2 terms, one for each wave number
P( )=B1( )cos2 + B2( )cos2
Interferogram in figure-C can be presented as a sum of infinite number of cosine terms
P( )=
Fourier Transform of this equation is
B( )=
Resolution of FT spectrometer is given by
= ------------------------------------------2
=Wave number for resolved lines.
Equation 2 shows that resolution is inversely proportional to distance travelled by mirror.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISPERSIVE IR AND rather that sequentially as in scanning

FT-IR 2 instruments/dispersive IR. So that all
wavelengths are detected through out the
ADVANTAGES OF FT IR: scan and so MI gives same spectral signal
1) Fellgett’s advantage5-It makes use of all to noise (S/N) ratio as in dispersive IR this
frequencies from the source simultaneously, ratio occurs in fractions of time.

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2) Jacquinot advantage5- High sensitivity than 7) Flexibility in spectral print outs (Multiplex
dispersive IR because more radiation enters advantage)4.
slit less system.
3) Only one moving part involved. So less / no APPLICATIONS OF FT-IR:
slippage and wear. 1) Mainly used for quantitative analysis due to
4) Dispersion / filtering is not required. So slits Fellgett’s advantage.
are not required. 2) In astronomical measurements.
5) Better absolute frequency accuracy (0.01 cm 3) In case where spectra and low
-1
) due to use of Helium-neon laser as a concentration of sample is required.
reference, which provides red light of 4) Used where the spectrum is required to
wavelength of 632.8 nm for continuous obtain quickly.
spectral calibration. 5) Can be used as a detector for
6) Intensity of radiation falling on detector is chromatography.
much much more.

REFERENCES

1. William Kemp, Organic Spectroscopy, 4. Skoog, Holler & Nieman, Principles of

Infrared Spectroscopy, 3rd Edn, instrumental analysis, 5th Edn, Sounders
PALGRAVE, New York: 43, (199). College Publishing, USA: 187, (1998).
2. Skoog, Holler & Nieman, Principles of 5. G. R. Chatwal, S. K. Anand, Instrumental
instrumental analysis, 5th Edn, Sounders methods of chemical analysis, : 5th Edn,
College Publishing, USA: 184, (1998). Himalaya publishing house, Mumbai2.50-
3. Robert D. Braun, Introduction to 2.51, (2004).
Instrumental Analysis, Infrared 6. G. W. Ewing, Instrumental methods of
Spectroscopy, Pharma Book Syndicate, chemical analysis, 5th Edn, Mc Graw-Hill
Hyderabad: 371-73, (2006). international editions, Singapore: 90,
(1985).

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