Infrared Techniques for Fused Salts

Abstract

By capitalizing on the unusual properties of ultrapure silicon, two methods of measuring the infrared spectra of molten salts have been developed. Silicon is used as a cavity cell in one method, while in the second method a silicon reflecting prism allows the measurement of attenuated total reflection spectra. The two methods combined permit routine measurement of the infrared spectra of many molten salts for path lengths greater than the wavelength of the radiation. The utility of these techniques is exemplified by data for fused lithium nitrate.