Design of a reflection–absorption experiment for studying the ir spectrum of molecules adsorbed on a metal surface

Abstract

This paper discusses the experimental requirements for maximizing the infrared reflection–absorption bands from a thin layer on a metal surface. Calculated curves are shown for 19 different metals for two spectral regions (2100 and 500 cm−1). From these curves, one can determine the performance of a particular experimental system (e.g., using only one reflection or using two reflections) relative to the theoretical best performance of the optimum system. In many cases, one reflection may yield a band intensity acceptably close to the maximum theoretical intensity.