Micro-area molecular vibrations
transmission, reflection, or ATR microscopy
Material Analysis · Structure & Spectroscopy
Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy (SR-FTIR)
Characterise micro-area molecular vibrations, chemical heterogeneity and phase distribution, and changes under controlled temperature, pressure, or reaction conditions using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£60 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 20 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Diamond Light Source B22 MIRIAM Beamline
- Typical outputs
- Micro-FTIR spectraChemical mapsBand ratios, assignments, and beamline metadataProcessed spectra
Why this service
What SR-FTIR can help you understand
Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy is selected when the project needs defensible information on micro-area molecular vibrations, chemical heterogeneity and phase distribution, or changes under…
Chemical heterogeneity and phase distribution
mapping
Changes under controlled temperature, pressure, or reaction conditions
in-situ or cryogenic environment
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Transmission, reflection, or ATR microscopy
micro-area molecular vibrations
- Best used when
- micro-area molecular vibrations
- Typical result
- Micro-FTIR spectra
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
Mapping
chemical heterogeneity and phase distribution
- Best used when
- chemical heterogeneity and phase distribution
- Typical result
- Chemical maps
- Preparation note
- State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable.
In-situ or cryogenic environment
changes under controlled temperature, pressure, or reaction conditions
- Best used when
- changes under controlled temperature, pressure, or reaction conditions
- Typical result
- Band ratios, assignments, and beamline metadata
- Preparation note
- Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Micro-FTIR spectra reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Chemical maps supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Band ratios, assignments, and beamline metadata provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Processed spectra included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder / particles | Provide a dry, homogeneous and clearly labelled sample in a sealed container. | Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review. |
| Fibre / textile | Provide clean, dry fibres or a representative textile section in protective packaging. | State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable. |
| Biological / soft material | Provide fixed, preserved or otherwise stabilised material in the agreed container and medium. | Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements. |
| Test coupon / specimen | Provide labelled specimens prepared to the agreed geometry, orientation and surface condition. | Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy?
Provide powder / particles, fibre / textile, biological / soft material, test coupon / specimen as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For micro-area molecular vibrations, start with transmission, reflection, or ATR microscopy; add mapping when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 20 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Beamtime access and sample-environment compatibility constrain scope. Diffraction, thickness, and substrate bands can limit spatial or spectral interpretation.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope SR-FTIR correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth