How to Perform MID-IR Absorption Spectroscopy in Real Time?
Absorption spectroscopy is one of the most powerful techniques to study molecular vibrations and material properties, giving information on chemical composition. With NLIR’s MID-IR spectrometer, you can perform fast, real-time absorption measurements across a broad spectral range (2.0 – 5.0 µm). Our technology enables you to monitor even subtle molecular fingerprints with unmatched sensitivity — in both research and industrial environments.
MIDWAVE Spectrometer enables unique benefits to perform real-time absorption spectroscopy:
Ultra-fast acquisition – capture transient processes with millisecond readout rate
Room-temperature operation – no external cooling required
Fiber-coupled or free-space input – flexible for lab setups or inline industrial integration
Broad spectral coverage – detect multiple absorption bands simultaneously
Compact design – portable for laboratory and easy integration in process lines
Perform absorption spectroscopy in transmission or reflection setting
NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer provides high performance in absorption spectroscopy in transmission or reflection setting depending on application requirements:
Gas absorption studies: detecting CO₂, CH₄, NOₓ, H₂O, and other gases in real time inside gas cells, pipes, or chambers.
Plastic characterization: identifying absorption signatures in black plastics and multilayer foils for recycling and packaging industries.
Optical coatings: measuring absorption bands to monitor thin film chemistry, performance and quality.
Heritage science: non-destructive absorption analysis of paintings and cultural artifacts.
Transient absorption: capturing ultrafast molecular dynamics in real time.
Why choose NLIR?
MIDWAVE Spectrometer is compact, high-performing mid-infrared sensing instrument delivering absorption spectroscopy insights live
High Sensitivity
Detect the smallest changes in light
Live Monitoring
Measure in milliseconds
Portable Design
For direct integration into your production line
OEM Ready
No moving parts, no cryocooling needed
Specifications
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Experience real-time absorption measurements
NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer delivers absorption measurements in real time. Explore our absorption measurement examples in transmission or reflection below.
Multi-Gas Live Monitoring with NLIR'S MIDWAVE Spectrometer
Gases can be detected using infrared (IR) spectroscopy by measuring light as it passes through the measurement environment. A light source transmits infrared light through a gas-filled cell or cavity, and the spectrometer measures how different gases absorb specific wavelengths of that light.
The video demonstrates this setup in action. NLIR’s FIBER Light Source delivers light through a fiber to a simple gas cell, while another fiber guides the transmitted light to NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer. The spectrometer captures spectra every 20 milliseconds, clearly showing the absoption features on screen.
Paper Coating Measurements in Reflection with NLIR
This demo showcases how fast MIDWAVE Spectrometer is able to acquire spectral information of different coatings on paper, demonstrating the potential for in-line Quality Assurance / Quality Control.
Using these absorption features, we are able to identify the material, coating thickness, chemistry, and performance at industrial speed, and deliver lab-grade insight to the inline production.
Optical Coating Transmission Measurements with NLIR's MID-Infrared Spectrometer
In this video, we demonstrate how NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer, combined with FIBER Light Source, can measure absorption spectra of optical filters in real time using light transmission. With an exposure time of just 2 ms, the spectrometer captures data from every filter on the rotating wheel during each full rotation.
High-Speed transmission characterization of plastic foils with a MIR Spectrometer
The video demonstrates an example of a spinning sample wheel that rotates at the speed of 300 rounds per minute (RPM). This demonstrates how fast MIDWAVE Spectrometer is able to acquire absorption spectral information of different plastic foils, showing the potential for in-line monitoring.
Trusted by engineers across industries & fields
Our customers from different industries have already achieved breakthrough in absorption spectroscopy measurements with NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer. Read about their success stories below or contact us today.
Eliana La Francesca, PhD
Versatile characterization enabled by fiber-coupled spectrometer
We use the NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer for our calibration set-up. We appreciate the versatility of fibre coupling, the fast response of the detector and the ability to work at room temperature. All these aspects help us in the fundamental step of independent characterization of sources and optical elements.
A key device for sensitive, broadband trace gas detection
We are very satisfied with the outstanding performance of the NLIR’s upconvertion spectrometer, offering both superior sensitivity and spectral range. These advantages allowed us to develop a versatile broadband (> 600 cm-1) trace gas sensor for single species as well as fast and stable multi-species detection. It has been a pleasure working with their innovative and skilled technical team.
Associate Professor Dr. Frans JM Harren & Dr. Qing Pan
Stas Zinchik, Ph.D.
A primary instrument for our team’s fast, AI-based research activity
We have been using NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer for about two years now, successfully performing inline plastic characterization. The MIDWAVE Spectrometer has become a primary instrument for our team’s fast, AI-based plastic waste stream characterization research activity.
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