JCAMP-DX, A STANDARD FORMAT FOR EXCHANGE OF INFRARED-SPECTRA IN COMPUTER READABLE FORM

The project committee recommends the use of JCAMP-DX to standardize infrared spectral data for ease in transmission between infrared spectrometer data systems and between such systems and other computers. JCAMP-DX is a standard file format that supplies specifications for encoding digitized spectral data, including all the information needed to plot and label a spectrum, as well as additional information about a sample (such as sample preparation and properties), instrumental parameters, and sampling and computational procedures. The digital output (the spectra, interferograms, transformed spectra, and peak tables) from any type of infrared spectrometer can be handled using JCAMP-DX. Data encoded using JCAMP-DX specifications consist of printable ASCII characters and are acceptable to all computers and data systems. The committee recommends that data be carefully documented within JCAMP-DX files. IUPAC-acceptable names and units should be used. Restrictions are applied to some of the JCAMP-DX specifications and additional requirements are given in order to meet IUPAC standards.