Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the benefits of ATR/FTIR spectral libraries?
A: ATR sampling is faster, requires far less skill and is far more reproducible than transmission sampling and ATR spectra yield better searching results.
Q: Can I search ATR/FTIR vs transmission FTIR spectra and vice versa?
A: Yes. Search over the fingerprint region. Expect lower search scores but still useful results.
Q: Can I add to the library?
A: This is a forthcoming feature of the FDM SearchFaster™ software.
Q: Why does FDM provide ATR libraries with spectra measured on both diamond and Germanium crystals?
A: See this PDF flier for more details and graphics showing the difference between diamond and germanium spectra.
Q: What is meant by saying spectra run on a Germanium ATR crystal are more transmission-like than those recorded on diamond or Zinc selenide (ZnSe)?
A: Because of Germanium’s high refractive index the effect of ATR peak broadening from anomolous dispersion on the high frequency (high wavenumber) side of a peak is greatly reduced compared to diamond or ZnSe. Thus, the peaks are more transmission-like. Alternatively, we can say both tranmission and Germanium ATR spectra are k-like. That's k from n+k, the optical constant spectra or the complex refractive index function.
Q: Where can I get a subscription for Raman libraries?
A: Raman libraries can be licensed directly from this website.
Q: Where can I get a ATR/FTIR libraries for material analysis?
A: ATR/FTIR libraries and ATR/FTIR mixtures libraries can be licensed directly from this website. Consider the FDM ATR Polymers Diamond, the FDM ALL ATR Bundle, the FDM ATR Plastics Kit and the FDM FTIR Industrial Package.
Q: Where can I get spectral libraries for industrial spectroscopy?
A: Both FTIR and Raman libraries are available directly from this website. Read about the the FDM ALL ATR Bundle, the FDM ATR Plastics Kit and the FDM FTIR Industrial Package, and the FDM Raman Bundle and the FDM Raman Plastics Kit.
Q: What makes the Fiveash Data Management, Inc. spectral libraries unique?
A: The FDM FTIR and Raman spectral libraries are unique as they cover a wide range of compounds but there is also an emphasis on polymer and drug analysis. Furthermore, many libraries were built with mixture analysis in mind. For instance, the FDM ATR Polymers Diamond are a key component of the FDM ATR Plastics Kit, which models bulk mixtures of plastic components.
Q: What is the best software for speeding up spectroscopic data analysis?
A: The FDM SearchFaster™ software has a user interface designed for ease of use with all of the search parameters easily adjustable in the main window. Furthermore, the highly advanced spectroscopic search engine is supremely well optimized (highly parallelized) and can search immense mixtures libraries in seconds using full spectrum search parameters.