INSTRUMENTAL ASPECTS OF DYNAMIC 2-DIMENSIONAL INFRARED-SPECTROSCOPY

Dynamic two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) correlation maps are a convenient means of examining the information contained in time-resolved IR spectra. Dynamic 2D IR spectra can be collected with the use of either dispersive or Fourier transform (FT) IR spectrometers. Use of a step-scanning FT-IR spectrometer has advantages over conventional rapid-scan FT-IR spectrometry when one is acquiring time-resolved IR data on time scales faster than about 0.1 s, because the spectral multiplexing is removed from the time domain. Dynamic IR spectra of atactic polystyrene (undergoing a small-amplitude oscillatory strain) collected on both dispersive and FT instrumentation are compared. Although the dispersive approach produces higher signal-to-noise ratios over small spectral regions, the multiplex advantage makes the FT approach attractive when broader spectral coverages are required. The first vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectrum [of (-)-alpha-pinene] collected on a step-scanning interferometer is also presented.