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COLUMNS

• THE BASELINE
  Prisms
  A prism is an optical component that serves one of two major functions: it disperses light, or it modifies the direction (and sometimes polarization) of light. In some cases, a prism has more than one function, and they are discussed here. David W. Ball

• MASS SPECTROMETRY FORUM
  Quantitative Mass Spectrometry, Part V: Scedasity Revealed
  In the fourth part of this five-part series, columnist Ken Busch discussed weighted regression analysis as used in QMS. In this final column, he adds an additional explanation.
  Kenneth L. Busch

ARTICLES

• 35th Annual FACSS Meeting
  Spectroscopy previews the annual FACSS Conference, to be held September 28 to October 2, 2008, in Reno, Nevada.
  Helen A. Castro

• The Use of Process Analytical Technology in Biofuels Production
  Biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol are now the main alternatives to fossil fuels in one of the most pollutant human activities: transportation. The authors report on the use of process analytical technology for mapping raw materials, fingerprinting process trajectories, and calibrating for the most important quality specifications, both for individual chemical and physical attributes or for combined quality attributes, thus leading to more consistent and economically viable processes.
  José C. Menezes, Pedro Felizardo, and M. Joana Neiva-Correia

• Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents — Analyzing Their Degradation
  Research regarding detection of chemical warfare agents has become vital for finding olutions that will help reduce the threat of these substances. This article looks at the se of collision cell ICP-MS for the analysis and detection of organophosphorus agents.
  Karolin K. Kroening, Douglas D. Richardson, Kevin M. Kubachka, and Joseph A. Caruso

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Products Showcase
• Calendar
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BUYERS' GUIDE

• SPECTROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTATION: SPECTROMETER SYSTEMS
• OPTICS, ELECTRO-OPTICS, OPTRONICS, FIBEROPTICS, AND RELATED COMPONENTS
• SAMPLING/SAMPLE HANDLING
• SPECTROSCOPY SOFTWARE/COMPUTER HARDWARE/AUTOMATION PRODUCTS
• SPECTROSCOPY SERVICES
• GENERAL SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES
• PROCESS ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION
• BIOANALYSIS INSTRUMENTS

DEPARTMENTS

• PRODUCT INDEX
• MANUFACTURER DIRECTORY

COLUMNS

• MASS SPECTROMETRY FORUM
  Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Part IV: Deviations from Linearity
  In this fourth part of a five-part series, columnist Ken Busch discusses factors that might cause deviation from linearity at the upper and lower limits of a calibration curve.
  Kenneth L. Busch

• FOCUS ON QUALITY
  Validation of Spectrometry Software: Understanding the Role and Content of a Validation Master Plan
  Columnist Bob McDowall discusses the role of a validation master plan (VMP) for summarizing a laboratory’s approach to computer validation.
  R.D. McDowall

• ATOMIC PERSPECTIVES
  Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen and the Discovery of X-Rays
  Volker Thomsen takes a look at the impact that the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895 has had on the world.
  Volker Thomsen

ARTICLES

• DXC 2008: The World’s Leading Forum for X-Ray Materials Analysis 35
  Spectroscopy’s assistant editor previews the upcoming Denver X-Ray Conference, to be held August 4–8 in Denver, Colorado.
  Brian Johnson

• Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: A New Approach to 36 Rapid Identification of Intact Viruses
  Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has experienced an explosive resurgence in interest lately. Development of reproducible, spatially uniform SERSactive substrates has made this technique an attractive approach for identification of Raman-active compounds and biological materials including toxins, intact viruses, and intact bacterial cells–spores.
  Troy A. Alexander

DEPARTMENTS

• From the Editor
• News Spectrum
• Products Showcase
• Calendar
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• THE BASELINE
  Spectroscopy Is Applied Quantum Mechanics, Part IV: Ideal Systems
  In Parts I–III of this series, columnist David W. Ball recounted the failings of classical mechanics, the quantum hypothesis, and the rise of a new theory called quantum mechanics. In this installment, he discusses the ideal systems whose wavefunctions can be determined exactly from the Schrödinger equation.
  David W. Ball

• CHEMOMETRICS IN SPECTROSCOPY
  The Long, Complicated, Tedious, and Difficult Route to Principal Components: Part IV
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr. continue their discussion of the derivation of the principal component algorithm using elementary algebra.
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr.

ARTICLES

• Miniature Optical Spectrometers: The Art of the Possible, Part IV: New Near-Infrared Technologies and Spectrometers
  Part II of this series described many of the miniature optical technologies that were developed as a result of the telecommunications boom, and Part III covered conventional small near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers. Here, in Part IV, we bring those themes together and see how the massive investment in telecommunications, microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and micro-opto-electro-mechanical (MOEMS) is starting to impact NIR spectroscopy.
  Richard A. Crocombe

• IR Spectroscopy Analysis of Disposable Gloves for Residues
  Residue can be transferred from gloves to samples at detectable levels, especially in attenuated total reflectance infrared spectra. Some residues can be removed easily by washing and drying the gloves in a manner similar to washing and drying hands.
  Richard Castino, Laryssa Patti, and K.A. Lee

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Products Showcase
• Calendar
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• CHEMOMETRICS IN SPECTROSCOPY
  The Long, Complicated, Tedious, and Difficult Route to Principal Components: Part III
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr. continue their discussion of the derivation of the principal component algorithm using elementary algebra.
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr.

• ATOMIC PERSPECTIVES
  A Pragmatic Approach to Managing Interferences in ICP-MS
  While inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is capable of part-perquadrillion (ppq) detection limits under ideal conditions, most applications do not require this level of sensitivity and do not justify the cost associated with achieving it. Practical sensitivity in ICP-MS is determined not by instrument signal-to-noise ratio, but rather by controlling interferences and matrix effects in real samples. Understanding the sources of these effects and their management is critical in determining the most practical way to achieve specific data quality objectives.
  Steve Wilbur

ARTICLES

• Pittcon 2008: Back to New Orleans and Coffee and Beignets for Breakfast
  John Coates presents a comprehensive review of the products and accessories introduced at Pittcon this year.
  John Coates

• Miniature Optical Spectrometers, Part III: Conventional and Laboratory Near-Infrared Spectrometers
  In Part I of this series, we examined recently developed miniature mid-infrared spectrometers. In Part II, we surveyed micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS), and some of the photonics technologies developed for optical communications. Here, in Part III, we summarize some of the conventional approaches to miniaturizing near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers, and in Part IV, we will bring these themes together and see how MOEMS and telecommunications photonics are poised to revolutionize NIR spectroscopy with a new generation of miniature instruments.
  Richard A. Crocombe

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Products Showcase
• Calendar
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• THE BASELINE
  Spectroscopy Is Applied Quantum Mechanics, Part III: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
  Columnist David W. Ball discusses the pioneering work of Erwin Schrödinger, whose work on wave mechanics forms the basis of the modern understanding of subatomic behavior.
  David W. Ball

• FOCUS ON QUALITY
  Understanding the Implications of the 2008 GMP Update and Why the Laboratory Is Not Included
  U.S. Good Manufacturing Practice regulations (21 CFR 211) have existed unchanged since 1978, although in 1996 a draft amendment was issued but was never implemented. However, on December 4, 2007, the FDA issued a Direct Final Rule for 21 CFR 211 that will make changes to GMP for finished pharmaceuticals effective in April 2008 as well as withdrawing the draft 1996 amendment. In this issue, we will look at the overall GMP changes and then ask: Why has the laboratory not been included in the proposed changes?
  R.D. McDowall

• ATOMIC PERSPECTIVES
  Innovations in Speciation Analysis Using HPLC with ICP-MS Detection
  Speciation analysis has grown rapidly and has expanded to a variety of markets, including environmental, clinical, food, nutraceutical, and bioanalytical. This growth has resulted from the realization that knowing the total amount of an element does not always provide adequate information for assessing health and environmental effects, but knowing which form of the element is present presents a much more comprehensive picture.
  Kenneth Neubauer

ARTICLE

• Single-Particle Spectroscopy on Conducting Polymer–Fullerene Composite Materials for Application in Organic Photovoltaic Devices
  The study of the photophysical and optoelectronic properties of a functioning conducting polymer device is complicated and is hampered by the complex nanostructure and morphology of the conducting polymer materials in these devices. Here we discuss an approach to investigate this issue in terms of bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices.
  Andre J. Gesquiere, Daeri Tenery, and Zhongjian Hu

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Products Showcase
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• MASS SPECTROMETRY FORUM
  Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Part III: An Overview of Regression Analysis
  Columnist Ken Busch presents the third of a five-part series on quantitative mass spectrometry. In this installment, he focuses on an overview of regression analysis for calibration lines and curves in mass spectrometry.
  Kenneth L. Busch

• MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY WORKBENCH
  Raman Applications That Are Driving a Rapidly Expanding Market
  Chemical analysts who use spectroscopy to extract molecular information from samples have been following the developments in Raman instrumentation. Vibrational spectroscopy provides detailed molecular information, but Fourier-transform IR has been much easier to use than Raman. Now that Raman equipment is smaller, cheaper, faster, and easier, analysts are interested. Columnist Fran Adar will discuss why.
  Fran Adar

ARTICLES

• 2008 Salary Survey: Salaries and Stress Shrink
  Spectroscopy staff editor Brian Johnson discusses this year's salaries and trends in employment for spectroscopists.
  Brian Johnson

• Spectroscopy: A Technology for All Seasons
  Spectroscopy techniques are an important facet of the laboratory analytical and life science instrument industry, which continues to expand as its analytical requirements migrate across industries and geographic regions. Overall industry growth has been in the 6-8% range for the last few years, which is a sign of both its maturity and its stability. The demands of the life science marketplace, environmental concerns, and the search for new materials are important driving forces. Likewise, the shifting market focus from North America and Europe to Asia is changing the face of the industry. It is expected that 2008 will be a good year for the industry despite the likely economic slowdown in North America and Europe.
  Lawrence S. Schmid

DEPARTMENTS

• News Spectrum
• Products Showcase
• Calendar
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• MOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY WORKBENCH
  Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
  Columnist Fran Adar discusses surfaced-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The phenomenon is described and the enhancement factors that make it so attractive for analytical purposes are pointed out. In particular, she reviews the state-of-the-art from the point of view of the instrumentation and the robustness of the measurements.
  Fran Adar

• CHEMOMETRICS IN SPECTROSCOPY
  The Long, Complicated, Tedious, and Difficult Route to Principal Components: Part II
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr. continue their discussion of the derivation of the principal component algorithm using elementary algebra.
  Howard Mark and Jerome Workman, Jr.

ARTICLES

• ICP-MS Detection for HPLC Analyses of Pharmaceutical Products
  The implementation of ICP-MS as a detection system for reversed-phase HPLC was proven to be a useful technique for the investigation of pharmaceutical molecules containing the heteroatoms sulfur, phosphorus, bromine, and chlorine, as well as organometallic compounds containing a transition metal such as cobalt.
  Tim Shelbourn, Leah Williamson, Todd Gillespie, and Robert Montgomery

• Label-Free SERS for Rapid Species Identification of Escherichia Coli, Listeria Monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium Bacteria
  The authors develop a label-free SERS method for rapid, accurate, specific, and routine screening of E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S. typhimurium bacteria for public safety and security.
  Yongliang Liu, Yud-Ren Chen, Xiangwu Nou, Moon S. Kim, and Kuanglin Chao

• Miniature Optical Spectrometers: Follow the Money
  Part II: The Telecommunications Boom
  The author examines NIR spectrometers and the technologies developed during the telecommunications boom of the late 1990s, focusing on miniaturized optical techniques generally called MOEMS.
  Richard A. Crocombe

DEPARTMENTS

• From the Editor
• News Spectrum
• SPIE Conference Preview
• Products Showcase
• Calendar
• Ad Index

COLUMNS

• THE BASELINE
  Spectroscopy Is Applied Quantum Mechanics, Part II: The Quantum Revolution
  In part I of this series, columnist David Ball laid the groundwork for why the scientific understanding of nature in the late 19th century was found wanting: it could not explain a variety of phenomena that scientists were examining. (One of these phenomena was spectroscopy itself!) In this installment, he reviews the paradigm shifts in science that preceded the development of the currently accepted theories of the nature of matter. It all starts with the nature of light.
  David W. Ball

• MASS SPECTROMETRY FORUM
  Tracing the S-Curve: Molecular Applications of ICP-MS
  In this month’s installment, columnist Ken Busch addresses the molecular applications of inductively coupled plasma linked with mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and how those applications have developed.
  Kenneth L. Busch

ARTICLES

• Atomic and Molecular Emissions Observed from Mid-Infrared Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
  The authors use a novel MIR laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) probe, biochemicals, and inorganic alkali metal salts to produce emissions in the MIR region from atomic and oxygenated molecular breakdown species.
  Clayton S.-C. Yang, Ei Brown, Uwe Hommerich, Sudhir B. Trivedi, Alan C. Samuels, and A. Peter Snyder

• Miniature Optical Spectrometers: There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom Part I, Background and Mid-Infrared Spectrometers
  There are straightforward motivations for miniaturizing an optical spectrometer. If an instrument can be made smaller, it often will also consume less power, enabling it to be portable and eventually handheld, which allows the spectrometer to be taken to the sample. This article describes various miniaturization techniques and focuses on the mid-infrared; subsequent articles will examine near-infrared, UV–vis, and Raman spectrometers.
  Richard A. Crocombe

DEPARTMENTS

• From the Publisher
• News Spectrum
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• Calendar
• Ad Index