The lab is equipped with a Nicolet 470 FTIR spectrometer with a CsI beamsplitter for coverage to 200 cm^-1. The spectrometer is configured for both hemispherical reflectance and emission measurements. The hemispherical reflectance attachment is provided by Dr. Paul Lucey. The emission configuration is modeled after the configuration at the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) laboratory at Arizona State University. We welcome opportunities to collaborate on projects with investigators from other institutions.

Watch this page for updates and information about the status of our lab.

14 March 2006

Although both the reflectance and emission capabilities have been available for about a year, we have not had our final calibration blackbodies for the emission side until recently. We are beginning our final reproducability characterization and expect to have results available in a month or two. The photos of the lab have been updated (see links below for 06 Nov. 2004) .

17 March 2005

Download our LPSC poster showing the instrument and initial data. (~2MB PDF file)

21 February 2005

Read about the laboratory setup in our 2005 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference abstract. In other news, we have designed a sample stage for the emission side that will allow us to make fine adjustments to sample position in the x and y directions in addition to selecting the spot size via height adjustments. This stage will permit analysis of much smaller samples than previously has been possible.

06 Novemberr 2004

New photos of the current lab configuration.

• Front view of spectrometer
• Emission set up
• Hemispherical reflectance set up

03 November 2004

Emission spectra of quartz and a granite slab.

31 October 2004

Happy Halloween! The emission set up is assembled and collecting data. Look for our first spectra to show up here in the next day or two. We are still waiting for our blackbody calibration targets to be fabricated, but for the moment, we are using IR-black sample cups as cal targets, and the data quality is very impressive.

10 July 2004

The emission set up is coming along nicely; nearly all of the major parts are in hand and ready for assembly. The last major pieces to come are the blackbody calibration targets. Dr. Mike Ramsey at Univ. Pittsburgh is testing a new design for the blackbodies, which are significantly smaller than the model in use at ASU currently. The first of these has been built and is about to be tested for accuracy, precision, and reproducibility at the Arizona State Univ. lab. Once these tests are completed, and the new design finalized, three pairs will be manufactured and all three institutions will have identical blackbody targets. Once these cal targets are in hand at UH, we'll begin the characterization of our emission setup and open for business!

6 February 2004

Since last year, we've moved the spectrometer to a new, more conveniently located lab with lower humidity, and the purge gas generator is keeping the Nexus scrubbed of CO₂ and dry inside. We've made an improvement to the hemispherical reflectance portion of the spectrometer. We replaced the external MCT detector with one that provides a higher SNR at a lower number of scans. The emission setup is moving ahead slowly but surely. It's likely to be several months before it's ready for use, as several of the components must be custom manufactured.

30 January 2003

We collected our first data today, and they look great. The Labsphere hemispherical reflectance attachment covers the wavelength range from ~4000 - 600 cm^-1 using the spectrometer's internal CsI beamsplitter and an external liquid nitrogen-cooled MCT detector.

• The Labsphere attachment, side view
  (The sample goes under the sphere, the detector is at right.)
• The first quartz spectrum
• Plot of rock spectra
• Plot comparing spectra of WAR-R0039 collected in emission (at ASU) vs. reflectance (HIGP)