Fast Scan Submillimeter Spectroscopy Technique (FASSST): A new analytical tool for the gas phase

A new FAst Scan Submillimeter Spectroscopic Technique (FASSST) for analytic al applications is described. It is based on voltage tunable Backward Wave Oscillators (BWOs), a fast scan to 'freeze' frequency instability, and opti cal calibration methods. FASSST, due to its high resolution, is used to rec ord the gas phase rotational spectra of mixtures of molecules (e.g. aromati c or heterocyclic compounds). This technique provides an unambiguous identi fication of the individual component compounds. The combination of FASSST w ith gas chromatography is expected to be an excellent method for qualitativ e and quantitative analysis.