Sensitivity Meets Speed in Advanced Spectral Diagnostics
Are you looking for faster, more sensitive ways to track ultrafast chemical or physical changes in real time? Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy with fast mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy offers a compelling solution – enabling precise, sub-millisecond measurements of dynamic processes.
NLIR’s patented MIDWAVE Spectrometers are designed specifically for these high-speed, high-precision applications. Whether you’re capturing dynamic processses in coating production, analyzing reaction kinetics, or characterizing fast-switching materials, our mid-IR instruments deliver unmatched performance — without the limitations of conventional FTIR or filter-based systems.
Why Time-Resolved Spectroscopy Demands Mid-IR
Time-resolved spectroscopy helps tracking changes in a sample over very short timescales – milliseconds, microseconds or even faster. To track such rapid changes, you need a spectrometer that combines:
- Fast acquisition speed
- Broad spectral range
- High sensitivity
- Robustness under dynamic conditions
Mid-IR spectroscopy directly probes fundamental molecular vibrations, generating spectra with strong, distinct absorption features. Monitor subtle structural changes with high specificity in time-resolved analyses in complex or reactive environments.
Unlike near-IR or Raman techniques, which rely on overtones or scattered signals, mid-IR delivers stronger fundamental vibrational data. This makes it a better choice for precise time-resolved analyses in complex or reactive environments.
How NLIR Technology Excels at Time-Resolved Spectroscopy
Traditional mid-IR detection is limited by averaging and thermal noise of detectors. NLIR’s innovation lies in wavelength conversion: converting mid-infrared light into the near-visible range where high-efficiency detectors can be used.
This results in several key advantages:
This performance makes NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer ideal for time-resolved spectroscopy where conventional options fall short — facilitating high speed measurements in the mid-infrared especially in environments sensitive to vibration, thermal load or alignment drift.
NLIR's MIDWAVE Spectrometer – Built for Fast, Time-Resolved Applications
Our MIDWAVE Spectrometer takes time-resolved spectroscopy to a new level by overcoming traditional bottlenecks in mid-IR analysis:
- Real-time acquisition rates up to 130 kHz
- Extreme sensitivity down to 5 pW/nm
- Room-temperature operation (no cooling needed)
- Robust design for industrial and research settings
Unlike conventional FTIR systems that require frequent alignment and longer scan times, the MIDWAVE Spectrometer is a plug-n-play device. This makes it ideal for operating in fast paced dynamic environments.
Application Examples of Time-Resolved Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy
NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer supports time-resolved spectroscopy across a wide range of industrial and research applications. Here are a few examples.
Optical Coating Monitoring
- Monitor film growth, oxidation rates or chemical vapor deposition in real time to improve layer quality and reduce defects.
Metal Surface Coating Characterization
- Characterize metal surface coatings to ensure correct thickness, uniform curing and reliable protective performance.
Semiconductor Process Diagnostics
- Track plasma etching, layer annealing and doping effects on microsecond scales.
Automotive Emission Analysis
- Analyze chemical changes and exhaust signatures during combustion cycles for optimization of engine performance and emission control.
“We achieved superior sensitivity and spectral range for fast, stable multi-species detection – performance made possible only by capturing every micro-event.”
— Prof. Frans Harren & Dr. Qing Pan, Radboud University
Defense and Security Monitoring
Measure time-dependent spectral profiles of materials, coatings or plumes to support advanced sensing and detection applications.
Reduce Protective Coating Quality Control Time by 70%
In a recent customer case, NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer was used to monitor oxidation kinetics on metal surfaces during high-speed deposition. The ability to acquire spectra at 50 kHz revealed transient intermediates that were invisible to slower systems – helping the R&D team shorten their testing cycles by 70% and avoid repeated failure analysis.
Such high temporal resolution and clean spectral output enable faster optimization, fewer process iterations and better product consistency.
Ready to Capture Every Microsecond?
Time-resolved spectroscopy offers a competitive edge in industries that rely on precision, speed, and continuous insight. Whether you’re advancing next-generation materials or refining existing processes, NLIR’s MIDWAVE Spectrometer provides the set-up to do it faster – and smarter.
