| Abstract | This chapter presents a critical discussion of the computational methods of Fourier resolution enhancement (band narrowing) and their role in the analysis of the infrared absorption spectra of proteins. This type of numerical data processing does not affect the instrumental resolution but changes the shape of the infrared bands and, by reducing their width, allows a better visual separation (that is, resolution) of individual component bands. One area of biology in which infrared spectroscopy has become particularly useful is the structural analysis of proteins and, in particular, the determination of the secondary structure of soluble and membrane-bound proteins. There are two common methods of resolution enhancement via band narrowing that use the Fourier transform: Fourier self-deconvolution (FSD) and Fourier derivation (FD). The chapter discusses a number of practical considerations in the application of the numerical computer methods for band narrowing. The Fourier resolution enhancement in applications may be employed to advantage on any data set that satisfies two criteria: (1) high S/N ratio and (2) composite bands with intrinsic widths that are large as compared to the instrumental resolution. |
|---|
