A Fourier Transform Spectrometer for the 10-10,000 cm(-1) Spectral Region.

A Michelson interferometer spectrometer has been constructed for the investigation of ir emission spectra from weakly emitting sources such as thermally excited gases, fluorescing solids, and gas discharges at any wavenumber between 10-10,000 cm(-1). Auxiliary apparatus permits the study of absorption spectra of gases, liquids, or solids and of samples at liquid helium or nitrogen temperatures. The spectrometer is described and the design parameters are discussed. The absorption and the thermally excited emission spectra of the v(2) forbidden band of methane and the inversion rotation emission spectra of ammonia are shown as examples of the degree to which the design conditions are met.