FTIR spectrometer and microscope

振动光谱学，由傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱仪提供，是任何化学系研究人员使用的三种基本技术之一，与核磁共振（NMR）和质谱（MS）一起，用于表征和分析新分子和材料。当前应用的动机源于开发一个新的和快速扩展的研究领域的迫切需要，这需要我们监测中性自由基基导体的中红外和近红外光学特性作为压力的函数。利用红外光谱来监测分子化合物的结构变化作为压力的函数已经有很长的历史了。然而，我们的兴趣不在于分子振动的微小，而在于压力引起的光学带隙和Mott/金属活化能的变化，这些变化与近金属分子材料有关。特别是，我们试图确定分子自由基可以在相对温和的施加压力下呈现金属。为此目的，建议要求经费购买一个综合包，包括(i)具有中红外和近红外能力的中分辨率红外光谱仪，（ii）单晶分析的光学显微镜侧台和（iii）用于压力研究的金刚石砧池。

Vibrational spectroscopy, as provided by a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, is one of the triumvirate of basic techniques used by researchers in any Chemistry Department, along with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS), to characterise and analyse new molecules and materials. The motivation for the present application arises from a critical need to develop a new and rapidly expanding area of research, one that requires that we monitor the mid- and near-IR optical properties of neutral radical based conductors as a function of pressure. The use of infrared spectroscopy to monitor structural changes in molecular compounds as a function of pressure has a long history. Our interest, however, lies not in the minutae of molecular vibrations but rather in the pressure induced changes in optical band gaps and Mott/metal activation energies that are associated with near-metallic molecular materials. In particular, we seek to establish that molecular radicals can be rendered metallic under relatively mild applied pressures. To this end the proposal requests funds to purchase an integrated package consisting of (i) a medium resolution FTIR spectrometer with mid- and near-IR capabilities, (ii) an optical microscope side-bench for single crystal analysis and (iii) a diamond anvil cell for pressure studies.