An Introduction to Signal Processing in Chemical Analysis

An illustrated essay with software available for free download

Last updated May, 2008

Tom O'Haver
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
E-mail: toh@umd.edu

This essay is also available as a single 34-page printable document in ODT, DOC and PDF formats.

Introduction
Signal arithmetic
Signals and noise
Smoothing
Differentiation
Resolution enhancement
Harmonic analysis
Convolution
Deconvolution
Fourier filter
Integration and peak area measurment
Curve fitting
Software used to generate the figures and examples:

SPECTRUM, simple freeware program for Macintosh

Programs written for Matlab (PC, Macintosh, or Unix)

Peak Finding and Measurement
Interactive Smoothing
Interactive Derivative
Interactive Resolution Enhancement
Interactive Power Spectrum Demo
Interactive Fourier Filter
Interactive Peak Fitter
The TFit Method for quantitative absorption spectroscopy

Unsolicited Comments from Users:

"I find your Introduction an excellent starting point."
" ... very useful for teaching in an Instrumentation course for M.Sc postgraduates in analytical chemistry. The sequence of the topics and the explanations are very clear."
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"I tried the demo version of SPECTRUM and I think is a very useful tool for the introduction of signal processing to analytical chemistry students."
" ... a splendid program."
"I have been reviewing your webpage on signal processing and am very impressed with the clarity of the presentation."

Last updated May, 2008. This page is maintained by Prof. Tom O'Haver, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Maryland at College Park. Comments, suggestions and questions should be directed to Prof. O'Haver at toh@umd.edu.