Knowledge Bank

A relatively compact, pulsed-nozzle, Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer has been developed and tested. The ceramic nozzle can be heated to at least $1000\circ C$ which makes the system useful for pyrolysis studies and for probing excited vibrational states. The sensitivity and other characteristics of the spectrometer will be described, evaluated and contrasted with more conventional instruments. Particular attention will be given to a discussion of the factors which are of principal importance to the size scale-down.