Moldable optical element: a new tool to obtain the infrared attenuated-total-reflection spectrum of a rough surface.
The air gap between an attenuated-total-reflection (ATR) element (prism) and a sample surface reduces the intensity of each recorded spectrum from that sample and distorts the IR-band contours. Recently, the air-gap problem was solved with a moldable ATR element made of IR-transparent chalcogenide glass. When heated to the softening temperature (60-90 °C) and then cooled to room temperature together with a pressed specimen, such an element provides perfect contact with the surface of a rough sample. Some advantages of this new technique are demonstrated.
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Kondyrev
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Tshmel