IRspektroszkópia

IRspektroszkópia, or Infrared spectroscopy, is an analytical technique used to identify chemical compounds by measuring the absorption of infrared radiation. When infrared light passes through a sample, certain wavelengths are absorbed by the molecules present, causing their chemical bonds to vibrate at specific frequencies. These absorption patterns are unique to each molecule, forming a characteristic "fingerprint" that can be used for identification and analysis.

The process typically involves shining a beam of infrared light through a sample and measuring how much of that light is transmitted or absorbed at different wavelengths. The resulting spectrum, a plot of absorbance versus wavelength (or wavenumber), reveals the functional groups and structural features of the compound. Different types of molecular vibrations, such as stretching and bending, occur at distinct infrared frequencies, allowing for detailed structural elucidation.

IR spectroscopy is widely applied in various fields, including organic chemistry for compound identification and purity assessment, pharmaceutical analysis for quality control, environmental monitoring for pollutant detection, and materials science for characterizing polymers and other substances. It is a non-destructive technique, meaning the sample is generally preserved after the analysis. The ease of use and relatively low cost of infrared spectrometers make it a valuable tool for both research and routine analysis.