DescriptionAuthor: Hideki Ohashi; Juichi Saito – Along with increasing concern regarding global environmental issues, various efforts have been made to further clean and reduce the amount of gases emitted from internal combustion engines used, for example, in automobiles. Consequently, the measurement items, content and range of emission gases, that must now be measured, have become more diversified and more complex. HORIBA has applied years of achievements and the very lastest technology in the development of the MEXA-7000 series of motor exhaust gas analyzers. This paper focuses on the development concept behind the entire MEXA-7000 series, and introduces its characteristic functions and specifications. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.11-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Kenji Takeda; Hideki Koike – Based on "the modular configuration of systems," the development concept of the MEXA-7000 series, analyzers are now positioned as sensors for measuring the concentrations of emitted gases, and as emission gas analyzers have undergone unprecedented downsizing ( 1/4 that of conventional downsizing) . Also, "sensors" now can be produced in compact sizes and as maintenance-free as possible. This paper reports on the features of constant temperature type analyzer modules, and describes the main points in the development of their hardware and the characteristics of heating-type analyzers. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.11-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Kaoru Okada – On this motor exhaust gas analyzer, computation of measurement data and control of the entire measurement system is managed centrally by a main control unit (MCU) mounted on a general-purpose personal computer featuring a touch panel type GUI (Graphical Users Interface) . Also, communication between the MCU and periperal modules, and the MCU and a host computer is carried out over a LAN (Local Area Network) . This allows user-friendly and highly flexible automotive emission gas analyzers to be built. This paper describes the data processing system and communications line of the MEXA-7000 series. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.11-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Shijuro Ogata; Former Director of HORIBA, Ltd (Resigned June 17, 2006) (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Harumi Sato; Kwansei Gakuin University Graduate School of Science and Technology – This study focuses attention on the typical biodegradable polymer, PHB (poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) ) using Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction in combination. The study shows research into the crystalline structure and thermal behavior of PHB, culminating in confirmation of C-H･･･O=C interaction in the PHB crystalline structure for the first time. The C-H･･･O=C interaction is one of the famous "Weak Hydrogen Bond" situations that have gained much attention recently. We studied the variation of intensity and temperature by considering the slight shift and intensity change between the C-H stretching vibration band and C=O stretching vibration band. For the band analysis, second order derivative and differential spectra were fully applied. Results of quantum chemistry calculation were also taken into consideration. From the stretching vibration band wavenumbers of C-H and C=O, we have investigated the intensity of C-H･･･O=C hydrogen bond, and researched how the hydrogen bond started breaking along with the temperature rise brought about by intensity change. The C-H･･･O=C hydrogen bond is said to stabilize the crystal structure by combining two polymer chains each of which has a helical structure. We confirmed the crucial role of C-H･･･O=C interaction toward the unique "folded" structure of the PHB molecule chain, the crystalline structure stabilization, and the high copolymer crystallization. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Takeshi Hasegawa; Associate Professor of Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ph.D.Science (also holds the post of "Structural function and measurement analysis", JST PRESTO) – The physical properties of materials do not have a one-on-one relationship with the structure of a single molecule, because the molecular arrangement plays an important role. For a detailed analysis of molecular arrangement, it is necessary to know the direction of each functional group, the so-called molecular orientation. Recently, I constructed a measurement theory assuming virtual longitudinal-wave light as a method to clarify the molecular orientation using infrared spectroscopy. This measurement was realized in physical light by focusing attention on a new function of a classical formula called regression. (Sama content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Yasushi Inouye; Professor of Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Ph.D.in Engineering – This article details the research of super resolution in vibrational microspectroscopy through the use of a nearfield microscope, which allows for spatial resolution exceeding the diffraction limit of light. We developed an infrared near-field scanning optical microscope that uses a tunable infrared laser and micro-aperture type nearfield probes, the latter made by silicon processing. This has been used to observe partially photodissociated regions spectroscopically, using its submicron resolving capability. In addition, by using localized plasmons induced at the apex of a metallic nano-tip, we achieved nano-Raman spectroscopy and nano-imaging on the nanoscale, and found a new Raman effect that is specific to near-field optics. (Same content in Japanese is Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Masao Horiba – This article is on the speech by Masao Horiba (Supreme Counsel of HORIBA, Ltd.), as Honorable Chairperson of the Screening Committee for Masao Horiba Awards. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Masahiro Kawasaki; Professor of Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Doctor of Science – Laser has been widely used for analysis of various molecules because laser has a variety of features from continuous-wave oscillation to ultra-short pulse. While introducing some examples of applications of lasers from vacuum-ultraviolet to near infrared region, Analysis techniques by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy and photo-acoustic spectroscopy (PAS) with a pulsed dye laser are explained. Applications of cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) with a semiconductor laser are compared with LIF and PAS. Then, as an advanced analytical technique, fiber-CRDS with Bragg gratings and a gain-switch semiconductor laser is discussed. CRDS with an evanescent light device or an onboard waveguide is explained as future prospects. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Yukihiro Ozaki; Professor and Dean of School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University – This lecture focuses on the Raman spectral measurement of a single molecule using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), as an example of a new development of infrared and Raman spectroscopy. In particular, the relation between the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and SERS will be reported. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Shigeo Minami; Professor Emeritus in Osaka University, and Osaka Electro-Comminucation University – Since 1950, I have adhered to the development and research of spectroscopic instruments that started as industry-university joint research, and, with regard to the spectroscopic measurement systems from ultraviolet to far-infrared, continued to study various elemental technologies including light sources, spectroscopic units, photo-detection processes, etc., as well as their integration by means of systematization and computerization technologies. I would like to introduce you to the stream of Engineering Spectroscopy, which has been absorbing the achievement of evolving peripheral technologies and organizing the application - equipment correlations as practical technologies, and there include some talk about my experiences. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Mitsunori Saito; Professor of Department of Electronics and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Ryukoku University, Ph.D.in Engineering – Decreasing the diameter of the flow cell used for spectroscopic analysis allows for a smaller sample amount, faster response time, and higher sensitivity through a longer light path. Recently, a special type of optical fiber that traps light in gas or liquid, allowing efficient transmission of visible light or infrared light has been developed. A trend in spectroscopic measurement technology using such a capillary flow cell is introduced in this article. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Hiroshi Funakubo; Associate Professor of Graduated School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology – There is growing expectation in hopes of finding new or improved substances with excellent properties through further multiplicate components, in multi-component oxide thin films such as high-temperature superconductors, giant magnetoresistance effect oxides, and ferroelectric oxide. In manufacturing these devices, composition reproducibility that influences properties are important, and MOCVD (Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) is drawing attention. We will confirm the basic principle of MOCVD such as reaction mechanism in thin fi lm fabrication and the control of compositions, using Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) thin film as an examples. We will also explain the effectiveness of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) as a tool for extracting the optimum conditions for the industrialization process of MOCVD, using hard data. In addition, we will propose a process in which FTIR is installed as an in situ monitor for online feedback controls in the MOCVD process, with excerpts from experiment results. Finally, future prospects will also be discussed. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Kozo Ishida; Executive Vice President, Doctor of Engineering – The non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) absorption measurement technique, which has been developed as the second pillar of HORIBA after pH measurement, has grown into a mainstay of the company. It has been applied in various fields such as measurement in the automobile industry and environmental measurement. Technological development of NDIR has gone through many changes, problems, countermeasures, and epochs. They are discussed here along with my personal experiences. (Same content in Japanese in in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionHORIBA established the "Masao Horiba Awards" honoring the founder's name on the 50th anniversary of the company. In 2005, the second presentation of the Masao Horiba Awards was carried out. We invited applicants working in the area of infrared related analysis and mesurement technologies and chose three outstanding award winners. This report details the purpose, invitation, screening process, and award ceremony of the second Masao Horiba Awards. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)

DescriptionAuthor: Yuichi Muroga – "PITTCON Heritage Award" is presented to an individual who is credicted by PITTCON and CHF (The Chemical Heritage Foundation) for increasing the importance of the role of analytical chemistry in world economics, such as important achievements as a business person and establishment of analytical technology, which is both innovative and influential. Reason for presenting the award to Masao Horiba were; 1)Having been innovative with firm will and a passion as an entrepreneur, 2)Having founded the global business of measurement instruments with the products encouraging global scale study and performance, 3)Taking significant role in the venture capital development and management philosophy. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.32-Japanese edition-.)