FTIR spectrometer and microscope

傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱仪提供的振动光谱是化学系研究人员使用的三项基本技术之一，与核磁共振（NMR）和质谱（MS）一起沿着，用于鉴定和分析新分子和材料。本申请的动机产生于开发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导体的中红外和近红外光学性质作为压力的函数。使用红外光谱监测分子化合物的结构变化作为压力的函数有很长的历史。然而，我们的兴趣，不在于分子振动的minutae，而是在压力引起的光学带隙和莫特/金属活化能的变化，与近金属的分子材料。特别是，我们试图建立，分子自由基可以呈现金属在相对温和的压力下。为此目的，该提案要求提供资金，以购买一个综合包，其中包括：（一）具有中红外和近红外能力的中分辨率傅里叶变换红外光谱仪;（二）用于单晶分析的光学显微镜侧台;（三）用于压力研究的金刚石压砧。

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.