Microcomputer based instrumentation : applications in fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract

This thesis is largely concerned with two specific applications of microprocessor technology in chemical instrumentation. The hardware and software aspects of the design and construction of a control system, based on a NASCOM 2 microcomputer, for an extensively modified Perkin Elmer model MPF-44A spectrofluorimeter are described. The modified instrument is capable of recording excitation and background corrected spectra, and signal averaging. In addition, it allows three-dimensional spectra to be recorded. Data may be transferred to a mainframe computer for graphical presentation and long term storage. The sensitivity and versatility of the original instrument are markedly enhanced. Spectra of the M3+ ions of the lanthanide elements europium, terbium and samarium in solution are reported. The second application is the development of a versatile microprocessor based instrument which can act as a datalogger or signal averager. With this general purpose device, voltage data can be acquired and stored under a wide range of conditions and can be output in either digital or analogue form. The author's contribution to this project is largely concerned with the design of the instrument logic and the development of a machine code control program.