A Controlled-Environment Chamber for Atmospheric Chemistry Studies Using FT-IR Spectroscopy

Abstract

A one-meter-diameter, Teflon®-coated, stainless steel sphere has been constructed as a tool for conducting studies of the atmospheric chemistry of toxic chemicals. The temperature can be controlled from 5 to 50°C. The chamber can be evacuated to 5 × 10−6 Torr. Gas samples can be introduced from an external manifold. Solid samples of various kinds can be placed into the interior of the chamber through a 12-in. sampling port to determine their effects on gases under study. The chamber is equipped with an in situ, multipass optical system which allows an infrared pathlength of 106 m to be used for the analysis of chemical species.