RSC Analytical Spectroscopy Series – serie

Flame Spectrometry in Environmental Chemical Analysis is a simple, user-friendly guide to safe flame spectrometric methods for environmental samples. It explains key processes involved in achieving accurate and reliable results in atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic fluorescence spectrometry and flame emission spectrometry, showing the inter-relationship of the three techniques, and their relative importance. Flame Spectrometry in Environmental Chemical Analysis presents the important information with thoroughness and clarity, and in a style that makes it valuable to students and researchers using these techniques. It also offers straightforward reading for environmentalists with interests in such areas as pollution research, agriculture, ecology, soil science, geology and forestry; informing researchers of exactly what they can expect to be able to determine by flame spectrometric methods. Newcomers to flame spectrometry will gain increased confidence, job skills and many handy tips and ideas from this book. It will impart a strong working knowledge that can be translated into sound data in the laboratory.

Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) is an essential technique for the direct analysis of bulk solids, for elemental surface analysis and for the depth profiling of thin films and industrial coatings. The technique has shown rapid growth in numbers of instruments, in breadth of applications, in improved quantification in recent years and is now a recognised technique within the ISO, with two international standards. Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy: A Practical Guide takes the reader on a journey through instrument operation, sample preparation, analysis, and reporting results. It follows two sets of samples through the whole process of analysis, brass samples for bulk analysis, and zinc-coated steel for depth profiling. Procedures are consistent with recent ISO standards and each step is loaded with hands-on tips and theoretical insight. The book also includes unique data tables on spectral interferences, molecular bands, self-absorption and relative sputtering rates. This book is designed for those using or managing GDOES instruments and for students interested in learning the technique from a hands-on perspective. It is also an invaluable aid to those considering the purchase of a GDOES instrument, or those using GDOES results, to understand in detail how the technique works and what is involved in maintaining the instrument and achieving high quality results.

Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History highlights the important contributions Raman spectroscopy makes as a non-destructive method for characterising the chemical composition and structure and in determining the provenance and authenticity of objects of archaeological and historical importance. It brings together studies from diverse areas and represents the first dedicated work on the use of this technique in this increasingly important field. Coverage includes: An Introduction to Raman Spectroscopy, including practical aspects of Raman spectroscopy and complementary techniques; Dyes and Pigments; Artefacts; Biological Materials and Degradation; Jewellery and Precious Stones. The book contains a broad selection of real-world examples in the form of case studies to provide the reader with a true appreciation of the procedures that need to be invoked to derive spectroscopic information from some of the most challenging specimens and systems. Colour illustrations of objects of investigation and a database of 72 Raman spectra of relevant minerals are included. With its extensive examples, Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History will be of particular interest to specialists in the field, including researchers and scientific/conservation staff in museums. Academics will find it an invaluable reference to the use of Raman spectroscopy.

Industrial Analysis with Vibrational Spectroscopy is an integrated work which emphasises the synergy and complementary nature of the techniques of infrared and Raman spectroscopy in industrial laboratories. The book is written in a pragmatic and straight-forward manner and is illustrated throughout with examples of real-world, everyday problems and applications. It provides a developed, realistic insight into industrial analysis with vibrational spectroscopy for both undergraduate and academic researcher, while additionally providing a straight-forward working tool of value to the industrial laboratory worker.

Ionization Methods in Organic Mass Spectrometry is a basic practical guide for scientists of all disciplines who wish to analyse samples by organic mass spectrometry. Concentrating on instrumental operation, this book gives step-by-step instructions on how to set up, and how to achieve the best results, using a range of ionization methods, including atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, electrospray ionization and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization. Ionization Methods in Organic Mass Spectrometry will enable a beginner, or practitioner with limited experience, to choose the most appropriate ionization technique in application areas such as biomolecules, drugs and metabolites, pesticides, polymers and many other organic compounds. It will be a valuable practical guide for technicians, graduates, students or researchers - or indeed anyone new to practical organic mass spectrometry.

This unique book demonstrates the current status, and future potential, of millimetre wavelength (MMW) spectrometry as a means of quantitative analysis of gaseous mixtures. After outlining the spectroscopic theory required, the authors then go on to discuss the components of an MMW cavity spectrometer, concentrating on compact, automatic, low-cost instruments. Other topics covered include solid state MMW sources with both cryogenically cooled and room temperature detectors. Post-detector signal processing, smoothing, filtering and spectral profile fitting are also discussed. The book concludes with a look at the future of the technique, in areas such as millimetre wave-over-fibre technology. Quantitative Millimetre Wavelength Spectrometry will be welcomed by practitioners in both industry and academia.

Chemometrics in Analytical Spectroscopy provides students and practising analysts with a tutorial guide to the use and application of the more commonly encountered techniques used in processing and interpreting analytical spectroscopic data. In detail the book covers the basic elements of univariate and multivariate data analysis, the acquisition of digital data and signal enhancement by filtering and smoothing, feature selection and extraction, pattern recognition, exploratory data analysis by clustering, and common algorithms in use for multivariate calibration techniques. An appendix is included which serves as an introduction or refresher in matrix algebra. The extensive use of worked examples throughout gives Chemometrics in Analytical Spectroscopy special relevance in teaching and introducing chemometrics to undergraduates and post-graduates undertaking analytical science courses. It assumes only a very moderate level of mathematics, making the material far more accessible than other publications on chemometrics. The book is also ideal for analysts with little specialist background in statistics or mathematical methods, who wish to appreciate the wealth of material published in chemometrics.

Microwave induced plasma has evolved considerably over the last two decades as an excitation source for optical emission spectrometric and as an ionization source for mass spectrometric techniques. These efforts have led to a better understanding of the basic science of the MIP-based techniques and have stimulated the need for the publication of comprehensive reference books on the theory and practices of the field, providing analytical spectroscopists with an integrated guide on how to apply these new techniques in the most effective manner. This book is the most comprehensive recent publication on MIPs, consisting of 13 chapters, primarily involving the fundamentals, the instrumentation, and the methodologies of MIP-OES. Considerable experimental and fundamental emphasis is placed on the plasma generation as well as the experimental aspects of sample introduction in MIP spectrometry. The book firstly outlines the generation and operation of MIP discharges, and presents briefly the principles of MIP-based techniques currently in use, along with their potential benefits and limitations. It then addresses the art and science of microwave plasma generation and highlights very recent advances in the field, presenting both the fundamental properties and the design details of new microwave plasma sources. Analytical characteristics and novel applications of MIP-OES for a wide variety of sample types are also reviewed. This book is aimed at academics and postgraduates embarking on work in the field of MIP source spectrometry, ICP/MIP users, analysts and research groups who want to configure their own plasma spectrometry setup, and manufacturers of plasma spectrometers and MIP devices.

Publication of a multi-author textbook on the biomedical applications of synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy was a central element in the workplan of the EU project DASIM (Diagnostic Applications of Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy). The project involved nearly 70 scientists and clinicians from 9 European countries, including all synchrotron facilities that have or are planning an infrared beamline. Together with its international associates from the USA, Canada and Australia, the project brought together essentially all recognized experts in the field. The project aims were to coordinate international research effort and to disseminate the relevant information amongst biological researchers and health care professionals and this multi-author textbook was conceived as the most important measure towards the aim of dissemination. The field of biomedical applications of synchrotron IR microspectroscopy, which has recently seen unprecedented growth, is extremely interdisciplinary, involving synchrotron physicists, spectroscopists, biologists and clinicians, with associated difficulties in getting these experts to understand each other. This multi-author book, from leading world experts, presents all aspects of the field in language that all the disparate experts involved can understand. It demystifies the subject both for clinicians and biologists who find synchrotron physics difficult to understand and for physicists who find medical/biological terminology incomprehensible. The book focuses specifically on biomedical IR spectroscopy using synchrotron light sources with particular emphasis on understandable presentation of necessary background knowledge, digestible summaries of research progress and above all as a practical 'how to do it' guide for those working in or wishing to enter the field of biomedical synchrotron IR microspectroscopy and imaging. Key features of the book include:- * a 'Fundamentals' section, explaining the basics of synchrotrons and FTIR spectroscopy as well as the needs of clinicians and biologists with respect to these technologies * a 'Technical Aspects' section, going into depth on optical issues, sample preparation and study design/data analysis * case studies bringing together these 2 elements through practical examples * Raman microspectroscopy, as an alternative approach, is explored in depth * the foreword is written by Henry Mantsch and Gwynn Williams, the two undisputed experts in the fields of biomedical FTIR spectroscopy and synchrotron IR microspectroscopy respectively