title: Sample cells for probing solid/liquid interfaces with broadband sum-frequency-generation spectroscopy.
abstract: Two sample cells designed specifically for sum-frequency-generation (SFG) measurements at the solid/liquid interface were developed: one thin-layer analysis cell allowing measurement of films on reflective metallic surfaces through a micrometer layer of solution and one spectroelectrochemical cell allowing investigation of processes at the indium tin oxide/solution interface. Both sample cells are described in detail and data illustrating the capabilities of each are shown. To further improve measurements at solid/liquid interfaces, the broadband SFG system was modified to include a reference beam which can be measured simultaneously with the sample signal, permitting background correction of SFG spectra in real time. Sensitivity tests of this system yielded a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 at a surface coverage of 0.2 molecules/nm(2). Details on data analysis routines, pulse shaping methods of the visible beam, as well as the design of a purging chamber and sample stage setup are presented. These descriptions will be useful to those planning to set up a SFG spectrometer or seeking to optimize their own SFG systems for measurements of solid/liquid interfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Physical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 253, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Verreault
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kurz
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koelsch
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000465:Algorithms; D004867:Equipment Design; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D017971:Tin Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D008670:Metals; D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D017971:Tin Compounds; D014867:Water; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide; C109984:indium tin oxide; D006046:Gold