Internal Reflection and ATR Spectroscopy

Today, attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy is the most widely used IR spectroscopic technique. Practitioners in the field, however, are generally not very familiar with the underlying physical basis of spectroscopy, often using spectroscopy as a "black box" tool to analyze their samples. This book provides a bridge between electromagnetic theory and spectroscopy, focusing on ATR spectroscopy in particular. Readers will come to a more complete understanding of the physical phenomena underlying spectroscopic measurement and therefore be better able to make use of ATR and other spectroscopic techniques.

Internal Reflection and ATR Spectroscopy is a unique contribution to the field of spectroscopy, offering derivations of the formulae frequently used in the field and examining important underlying physical mechanisms that are typically not addressed in spectroscopy texts. The book features detailed coverage of such topics as:

• Light propagation through absorbing materials
• Reflection at the interface between two media
• Phenomena of internal reflection and the evanescent wave
• Reflectance and transmittance of multi-layered samples
• Analysis of ATR experiments

As they progress through the book, readers will discover discussions of several new phenomena, including a revision of the conventional understanding of the evanescent wave and of the transport of electromagnetic energy through a totally reflecting interface. In addition, the author identifies a new type of internal reflection that enables researchers to observe some unusual fringes. Throughout all the discussions, numerous figures aid in understanding difficult concepts.

Internal Reflection and ATR Spectroscopy is recommended for all students and researchers who use ATR spectroscopy. By helping readers understand the underlying physical principles of ATR spectroscopy, the book makes it possible for them to optimize the use of spectroscopy as an analytical tool.