IR spectroscopy is a widely used and versatile method for analysis at the molecular scale.
In fact single molecular species are identified, and their amount quantified, by specific vibrational spectra with several characteristic absorption bands in the mid-IR range.
The high information content of such spectra lends itself to the operation of data bases and the "fingerprint" approach especially to organic and biological material identification, as well as condensed matter studies.
IR Microspectroscopy allows not only molecular identification but also spatial resolution, which is necessary to the understanding of the physical-chemical properties of the vast range of materials and surfaces that are organised on a microstructural level. These include biomedical samples like tissue or single cells that can be mapped in plots showing molecular composition versus position by IR imaging technique.
The high brightness and small spot size available on using synchrotron radiation source make experiments possible at the highest spatial resolution and over a wide spectral range spanning from from hard X-rays to the far-IR. In particular, the combination of IR with X-ray microspectroscopy techniques at the same SR facility easily allows the complementary characterization of samples both at molecular and atomic levels.
High pressure analysis of pharmaceutical products, analysis and development of novel catalysts, studies of advanced materials, cancer screening and medical diagnostics, chemical imaging of industrially important polymer structures, biomineralisation, studies of ancient artefacts, analysing processed food products and investigating airborne and waterborne pollutants.
MIRIAM provides a brilliant and versatile microprobe across the whole IR range, for the highest spatial resolution of molecular structures via highest sensitivity vibrational spectroscopy in Fourier Transform IR (FTIR) mode, plus TeraHertz (THz) spectroscopy.
Multidisciplinary experiments span from ex vivo/in vitro biomedical studies to in situ/operando physical-chemical researches, geology to cultural heritage.
Since 2022, a new nanoIR endstation couples an Atomic Force Microscope to the B22 beamline and uniquely measures photothermal (AFM IR) and scattering (s-SNOM) nanospectroscopy at sub-wavelenght resolution.
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
Copyright © 2022 Diamond Light Source
Diamond Light Source Ltd
Diamond House
Harwell Science & Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE
Diamond Light Source® and the Diamond logo are registered trademarks of Diamond Light Source Ltd
Registered in England and Wales at Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom. Company number: 4375679. VAT number: 287 461 957. Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number: GB287461957003.