Enhanced FTIR spectrometry for characterizing the radiative properties of surfaces

滑铁卢大学的研究人员迫切需要能够确定可见光和红外波长的辐射特性;从光学光滑表面隔离镜面反射（而不是半球形）;并测量高温表面的发射率，以便开展跨学科研究，涉及钢铁生产和增材制造，太阳能光伏纳米技术和智能窗户，以及精准农业。所要求的基础设施是现有傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱仪的扩展包。在其目前的配置中，光谱仪只能测量红外波长上的半球反射率，这不能实现该仪器的全部潜力，也不能满足上述研究计划的需求。所要求的增强功能将把测量范围扩展到可见波长，允许镜面反射测量，以及在受控气氛下的高温测量，这是该国独一无二的能力。这些改进将使滑铁卢大学成为加拿大辐射特性表征的领先中心。该仪器将使滑铁卢和周边机构在未来许多年内进行广泛的理论和应用研究，并帮助加拿大制造商应对每年花费数百万美元的紧迫挑战。这些设备还将作为跨学科研究的纽带，帮助招募代表性不足的群体进入STEM领域，并为研究生提供加拿大高科技产业和学术界所需的实践技能和理论知识。

Researchers at the University of Waterloo urgently need the capacity to determine radiative properties over visible and infrared wavelengths; isolate the specular (as opposed to hemispherical) reflectance from optically-smooth surfaces; and measure emissivity on high temperature surfaces, in order to carry out interdisciplinary research involving steel production and additive manufacturing, nanotechnology for solar photovoltaics and smart windows, and precision agriculture. The requested infrastructure are extension packages to an existing Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. In its current configuration the spectrometer can only measure hemispherical reflectance over infrared wavelengths, which does not realize the full potential of this instrument and does not address the needs of the above research programs. The requested enhancements will extend the measurement range into visible wavelengths, permit specular reflectance measurements, as well as high temperature measurements under controlled atmospheres, a capability that will be unique in the country. These enhancements will make the University of Waterloo the leading center for radiative property characterization across Canada. The instrument will enable a wide range of theoretical and applied research at Waterloo and surrounding institutions for many years to come, and help Canadian manufacturers address urgent challenges that cost them millions of dollars annually. The equipment will also serve as a nexus for interdisciplinary research, help recruit underrepresented groups into STEM fields, and equip graduate students with hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge needed by Canadian high tech industry and academia.