Development of Single-Shot-IR

The project aims at the development of a microsecond time-resolved single-shot infrared spectrometer for the investigation of non-cyclic samples. Infrared spectroscopy is a widely used tool in biophysical and chemical research since it allows to gain information on a molecular level. However, the commonly used Fourier-Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer are limited; they can either be used only down to the millisecond time range, or, for time resolution down to nanoseconds, cyclic systems are required. Instead of FTIR, we plan to develop a dispersive instrument. A modern focal plane detector array will be used to record the spectral information simultaneously. The use of a prism as dispersive instrument and diffraction limited optics allow high light throughput and optimal utilization of the entrance aperture. The device will extend infrared spectroscopy on non cyclic samples to the important timescale of microseconds.