Abstract

Light pipe GC/FT-IR interfaces are typically self-contained and designed to accept a collimated beam from the FT-IR spectrometer. These interfaces require a dedicated MCT detector which is mounted inside an interface box also containing the light pipe and associated optics. Much of the cost of these interfaces is derived from the expense of the detector and containment box. With the use of a short light pipe with a small internal diameter, it is possible to miniaturize the light pipe interface so that it can be placed within the FT-IR sample compartment. Light pipe interfaces which can be mounted inside the sample compartment of some FT-IR instruments are commercially available. These interfaces are typically less expensive than those offered by FT-IR manufacturers. However, the performance of these interfaces may not be optimal for all instruments in which they are installed. The modular light pipe interface described here is inexpensive (total cost is less than &dollar;1000), does not require a dedicated MCT detector, and can be used with capillary column gas chromatography <i>without</i> loss of FT-IR sensitivity. The modular interface can be constructed easily and can be installed and removed from the FT-IR sample compartment quickly. As a result, the FT-IR can be used for measurements other than GC/FT-IR with minimal changeover effort.

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