Apparatus and method for dark voltage removal for enhancing dynamic range, bandwidth, and quality of step-scan Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy data

Abstract

A system and method that improves and enhances the quality of step-scan Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy data. The system and method enables the removal of dark voltage with greater accuracy, provides access to previously unobtainable IR spectral information data which is amplified by the disclosed system and method. The system and method removes dark interferogram voltage from an interferogram of interest obtained during nanosecond or microsecond step-scan measurement. The system and method includes a programmable high gain setting to amplify both signal and noise into the analog-to-digital quantization range to allow signal averaging for obtaining additional bits of resolution. The system and method also accounts for and corrects intrinsic offset voltages introduced by the electronics of the disclosed system. The system and method enable precise interferogram measurement and post-laser excitation or provision for other stimuli that result in a material change of state exploration in nanosecond or microsecond speed.