INTRODUCTION FTIR is basically Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy .FTIR is one of the techniques in organic chemistry.

It is use to identify the presence of certain functional group in a molecules, to confirm the identity of a pure compound and to detect impurities in a substance by utilizing infrared absorption of molecules.Therefore, FTIR spectroscopy is a very powerful technique which provides fingerprint information on the chemical composition of the sample. Infrared spectroscopy is the study of interactions between matter and electromagnetic fields in the IR region. In this spectral region, the electromagnetic waves mainly couple with the molecular vibrations. In other words, a molecule can be excited to a higher vibrational state by absorbing IR radiation. The probability of a particular IR frequency being absorbed depends on the actual interaction between this frequency and the molecule. In general, a frequency will be strongly absorbed if its photon energy coincides with the vibrational energy levels of the molecule. Infrared light (IR) are electromagnetic radiation with have longer wavelength than those visible light. In the visible light region, lights color change from red to violet as their wavelength become shorter, and finally become invisible again. Then come the Ultraviolet (UV) lights whose wavelengths are longer than X-rays, ranging 10 nm to 400 nm. Rays ranging from 0.01 to 10 nanometers are classified into X-rays. Electromagnetic rays whose wavelength is shorter than X-rays are called Gamma rays.

Figure 1: Electromagnetic radiation

(Source: KDI Co .LTD, 2011)

THEORY There are three types of infrared spectroscopy which are infrared spectroscopy; dispersive infrared spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Absorption in infrared spectroscopy depends on the changes in vibrational and rotational of the molecules whereas in dispersive infrared spectroscopy, infrared light source is split into two beams. One beam passes through the sample compartment and another beam passes through reference cell. A monochromater is use to separate the source of infrared light (radiation source) into its different wavelength. In FTIR instrument, the manochromater and slits are replaced by interferometer, usually Michelson type. Generally in FTIR, all the source energy will send through the interferometer then pass through the beamspiltter. The beamspiltter will divide the beam radiation into two parts. One beam goes to a stationary mirror then back to the beamsplitter again. The other one goes to a moving mirror. The path difference between the two beams then allowed recombining. In this way, interference between the beams is obtained and the intensity of the output beam from the interferometer can be monitored as a function of path difference by using a detector.

Figure 2: Interferometer
(Source: K. Gable, 2013)

When the light passes through the interferometer, a cosine wave of constant frequency and intensity is obtained. The result is interferogram. This interferogram is generated by constructive and destructive interference of light as the distance between the two arms of the interferometer is varied. Let X is the distance between the beamsplitter and the stationary mirror

and Y is the distance of the beamsplitter and the moving mirror. Path difference between X and Y which is called retardation is Z. When X is equal to Y, the retardation, Z is zero then the beams are perfectly in phase. As a result, the beams interfere constructively at the beamspiltter and all the light from the source will reach the detector. The detector now report variation in energy versus time for all wavelength simultaneously. Energy versus time is an odd way to record a spectrum. A mathematical function called Fourier transform will allow us to convert intensity versus time spectrum to intensity vs. frequency spectrum.

Figure 3: Interferogram

SAMPLE OF ANALYSIS The normal instrumental process is as follows: 1. The Source: Infrared energy is emitted from a glowing from a source. 2. The Interferometer: The beam enters the interferometer where the spectral encoding takes place. The resulting interferogram signal then exits the interferometer. 3. The Sample: The beam enters the sample compartment where it is transmitted through or reflected off of the surface of the sample, depending on the type of analysis being accomplished. This is where specific frequencies of energy are absorbed. 4. The Detector: The beam finally passes to the detector for final measurement. The detectors used are specially designed to measure the special interferogram signal. 5. The Computer: The measured signal is digitized and sent to the computer where the Fourier transformation takes place. The final infrared spectrum is then presented to the user for interpretation and any further manipulation.

Figure 4: Sample analysis of FTIR

(Thermo Nicolet, 2001)

REFERENCE 1. K.Gable, 2013, FTIR Spectroscopy. Retrived from: http://.oregonstchemistryate.edu/courses/ch361 2. Lars and Claes, The Theory Behind FTIR Analysis. Retrieved from: http://turroserver.chem.columbia.edu/PDF_db/theory_ftir 3. Thermo Nicolet,2001,Introduction to Fourier Transform Spectroscopy Retrieved from: http://mmrc.caltech.edu/FTIR/FTIRintro.pdf 4. Department of Physics Faculty of Science National University of Singapore, Fourier Transform Infra-red (ftir) Spectroscopy . Retrieved from: http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~L3000/Level3manuals/FTIR.pdf