Practical Applications for
FT-IR Spectroscopy

Description:

Bruker Optics and the Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering are pleased to offer a two-day training course focused on the practical application of FT-IR spectroscopy. The course will be held Penn State University, Department of Material Science.

The program will focus on optimizing measurement parameters to generate high-quality, actionable infrared spectra and on understanding the criteria for selecting the most appropriate measurement technique for specific applications. Through a combination of expert lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions, participants will gain practical experience and valuable insights to enhance their FT-IR spectroscopy workflows.

Prerequisite:

Completion of an on-line course on the Theory of FT-IR spectroscopy. The link for this module will be provided with registration confirmation.

Costs:

$1,853.83
(includes course materials)

Dates:

• Prerequisite (on-line)
• October 6^th - 7^th, 2026 (in person on campus) 

Location:

Penn State Materials Characterization Laboratory
Millennium Science Complex
491 Pollock Road
University Park PA 16802

Tuesday, October 6^th

8:00–9:00 AM

Check-in and Coffee, introductions

9:00–9:40 AM

Lecture 1: Optimizing FT-IR Acquisition Parameters ("FT-IR Tradeoffs")

Topics

• Spectral resolution
• Number of scans
• Detector selection
• Balancing speed, signal-to-noise ratio, and spectral quality

Learning goal- Know which parameters in OPUS affect spectral quality

10:00 AM–1:00 PM

Laboratory Session 1: Optimizing Data Acquisition

• OPUS interface overview
  - Please bring your laptop with OPUS software installed if available.

Exercises

Using polystyrene or polyethylene standards, investigate the effects of:

• Spectral resolution on peak width and peak intensity
• Spectral resolution on noise and acquisition time
• Number of scans on signal-to-noise ratio
• Zero filling (observation only)
• Apodization function (observation only)

Learning goal- learn how to achieve the best S/N ratio in the shortest time

2:00–2:40 PM

Lecture 2: Introduction to FT-IR Sampling Techniques

Topics

• Transmission spectroscopy
• ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection)
• Specular reflection
• Diffuse reflection
• Sample preparation considerations for each sampling geometry

Learning goal- to be able to decide when and why to use ATR vs Transmission

3:00–5:00 PM

Laboratory Session 2: Comparing Sampling Techniques

Comparing Sampling Techniques

Exercises

• Comparison of ATR crystal materials using α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid
• Demonstration of Reststrahlen band distortion with diamond ATR
• Comparison with Germanium (Ge) ATR
• ATR versus transmission analysis of liquid samples (Olive oil)
• ATR versus transmission analysis of solid samples (Polyethylene (PE) film)

Learning goal- see the strengths and limitations of transmission and ATR. Observe how the spectra look different.

Wednesday, October 7^th

9:00–9:40 AM

Lecture 3: Sample Preparation and Common Sources of Error

Topics

• Sample preparation for reproducible measurements
• Common contaminants
• Surface contamination
• Best practices for minimizing spectral artifacts

Learning goal- learn best practices for handling and preparing samples.

10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Laboratory Session 3: Sample Preparation

Exercises

• Improving reproducibility (Grinding powder samples)
• Effect of variable pressure on ATR spectrum
• ATR Surface versus bulk analysis (Surface C=O on aged polyethylene)
• Identifying contamination using PDMS as an example. Not cleaning ATR crystal between measurements

Learning goal- cleaning crystal is critical for ATR, ATR can be surface sensitive, pressure affects reproducibility

12:00 PM

Course Wrap-up and Discussion

• Questions and answers
• Summary of key concepts
• Discussion