Design of a portable infrared spectrometer: Application to the noninvasive measurement of glucose

This thesis describes the design of a portable spectrometer capable of operating in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region. A potential use for this device is the noninvasive measurement of glucose and glutamine for use in fed-batch bioreactors. The instrument accuracy and resolution is based on research that has been conducted by the Chemistry Department at the University of Iowa using NIR for glucose measurements. The instrument is based on a Michelson type interferometer utilizing a rotating retroreflector with a PbS detector yielding spectral resolutions down to 0.1 cm{dollar}sp{lcub}-1{rcub}{dollar} and specific detectivities (D{dollar}sp*{dollar}) of 4 {dollar}x{dollar} 10{dollar}sp{lcub}11{rcub}.{dollar} These components allow for a rugged, compact, inexpensive device.