Absorption measurements in noble metal (transition metal) alloys

Abstract

The far infrared absorptivity of metals is typically of the order of 0.1% and cannot be measured by any single reflection technique. A new method, appropriate to measuring absorption differences between alloy samples has been devised by Trodahl. It is based on the use of a non-resonant cavity and an infrared Michelson interferometer. The technique has been developed and is described in detail with the results of preliminary measurements. An elementary review of the theory of absorption in metals is also given. The results indicate that with minor improvements the method will yield reliable measurements.