Experimental design for collection and analysis of laboratory passive infrared vapor spectra

Passive infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the detection and classification of chemical vapors in industrial, environmental, and defense applications. For any application, it is critical that the collected passive IR spectra is supported via laboratory and calculated spectral data. Here, we demonstrate the importance of a proper experimental setup to collect laboratory passive IR data that replicates what is expected to be collected in the field. We show how the type of IR detector element used affects the IR spectral results. Finally, we demonstrate calculated spectral results that show good agreement with the laboratory collected data, and provide a method to model such vapor releases in external environmental scenarios.