NIR Spectra

NIR spectroscopy (Near-Infrared) operates in the 700–2500 nm wavelength range, probing overtone and combination bands of molecular vibrations — particularly O-H, N-H, C-H, and S-H stretches. While individual NIR bands are broader and weaker than their mid-infrared counterparts, they penetrate deeper into samples and can be measured through glass, fiber optics, and in reflectance mode, making NIR ideal for non-destructive and in-line analysis.

Near-infrared reference spectra are critical for remote sensing spectra interpretation, precision agriculture, pharmaceutical process analytical technology (PAT), and food-quality assessment. NIR spectroscopy enables rapid determination of moisture, protein, fat, and fiber content in agricultural products, and is the primary technique for orbital mineral mapping of planetary surfaces. Calibration against verified reference spectra is essential for building accurate chemometric models.

SpectralBench's NIR collection includes mineral, vegetation, and soil spectra from the USGS Spectral Library measured across the full NIR range. Browse interactive charts, examine measurement conditions, and download as CSV or JCAMP-DX for use in remote-sensing calibration or laboratory analysis.