Spectroscopy refers to the process of analyzing how an object absorbs or gives off light. Spectroscopy also involves the study of how different chemicals disperse or spread light into many different quoi faire demain wavelengths, separating it into multiple colors. Because all objects absorb or emit light, scientists can gather information about a chemical’s properties simply by analyzing what kind of light is absorbed or emitted. In fact, even the temperature and mass of an object can be measured using spectroscopy.

Near infrared spectroscopy is a kind of spectroscopy that scans an object or chemical using the near infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is basically light with wavelengths ranging from 800 to 2500 nanometers. By measuring the pattern of near infrared light reflected by a certain sample, NIR spectroscopy can provide information about its chemical composition. Near infrared technology uses a light source to provide light that will bounce off the sample. A light-dispersing object, such as a prism, separates the light into different wavelengths. The near infrared wavelengths are detected and put into the record to provide proper analysis of the sample.

Near infrared spectroscopy offers some advantages over other kinds of spectroscopy. Since the signal to noise ratio of NIR technology is good, background readings, which could affect the accuracy of a scan, are lower than those of sample test results. Lower noise levels help doctors and scientists get clearer, more accurate results from near infrared reflectance tests.

Another major advantage of NIR spectroscopy is its affordability. People can conduct extensive spectroscopic analysis in a relatively affordable price compared to MRI scanning and other spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, near infrared light can penetrate a lot deeper than infrared light, so scanning objects and chemicals at a much larger scale is possible with near infrared reflectance.

Near infrared spectroscopy is an excellent alternative to traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans usually done in hospitals. Younger patients and those who have had recent cardiac operations cannot be scanned by an MRI because of possible complications, but they can be safely monitored by using a near infrared spectrophotometer.