Chapter 1
Introduction
Yukihiro Ozaki and Christian Huck
Abstract This chapter describes the introduction to NIR spectroscopy. The
discovery of infrared region is mentioned first, and then, the definition of NIR region
and characteristics of NIR spectroscopy are explained. Finally, the brief history of
NIR spectroscopy is outlined.
Keywords Near-infrared · NIR · Vibrational spectroscopy · Electronic
spectroscopy
1.1 Discovery of Infrared (IR) Region
The discovery of an invisible component beyond the red end of the solar spectrum (modern meaning-infrared (IR) region in a broad sense) is ascribed to William
Herschel, a German-born British astronomer, who is famous for Herschel telescope.
In 1800 one day, he investigated the effect of sunlight divided from violet to red by
a prism on temperature increase. He used just sunlight, a prism, and thermometers.
Figure 1.1 shows his portrait and the experimental set up he employed. He happened
to find that the significant temperature increase occurred even outside of red. He
thought there was a different kind of invisible radiation from visible light beyond
the red end of sunlight and named this radiation “heat ray.” This was really a great
discovery in science, but even he could not imagine that this is light. He was 62 years
old when he discovered “heat ray.” Sixty-two years old in 1800 probably corresponds
to today’s 80 years old or so. Thus, his discovery demonstrated that even very senior
scientist could have intensive serendipity.
Y. Ozaki (B)
School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Japan
e-mail: yukiz89016@gmail.com
Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute, Nagakute, Japan
C. Huck
Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, CCB-Center for Chemistry and
Biomedicine, Leopold-Franzens University, Innsbruck, Austria
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Ozaki et al. (eds.), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8648-4_1
3
Introduction
Yukihiro Ozaki and Christian Huck
Abstract This chapter describes the introduction to NIR spectroscopy. The
discovery of infrared region is mentioned first, and then, the definition of NIR region
and characteristics of NIR spectroscopy are explained. Finally, the brief history of
NIR spectroscopy is outlined.
Keywords Near-infrared · NIR · Vibrational spectroscopy · Electronic
spectroscopy
1.1 Discovery of Infrared (IR) Region
The discovery of an invisible component beyond the red end of the solar spectrum (modern meaning-infrared (IR) region in a broad sense) is ascribed to William
Herschel, a German-born British astronomer, who is famous for Herschel telescope.
In 1800 one day, he investigated the effect of sunlight divided from violet to red by
a prism on temperature increase. He used just sunlight, a prism, and thermometers.
Figure 1.1 shows his portrait and the experimental set up he employed. He happened
to find that the significant temperature increase occurred even outside of red. He
thought there was a different kind of invisible radiation from visible light beyond
the red end of sunlight and named this radiation “heat ray.” This was really a great
discovery in science, but even he could not imagine that this is light. He was 62 years
old when he discovered “heat ray.” Sixty-two years old in 1800 probably corresponds
to today’s 80 years old or so. Thus, his discovery demonstrated that even very senior
scientist could have intensive serendipity.
Y. Ozaki (B)
School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Japan
e-mail: yukiz89016@gmail.com
Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute, Nagakute, Japan
C. Huck
Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, CCB-Center for Chemistry and
Biomedicine, Leopold-Franzens University, Innsbruck, Austria
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Ozaki et al. (eds.), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-8648-4_1
3