The results of experiments designed to study the infrared spectra of transient species produced by ultraviolet photolysis of acetaldehyde are reported and analyzed. Spectra obtained in similar work [A. W. Mantz, Appl. Opt. 17, 1347 (1978)] are critically reinterpreted. The evidence presented demonstrates that insufficient attention has been given to the necessary stringent control of experimental conditions. The consequences of poor control are described and a qualitative explanation is offered. This paper discusses, in particular, the production of spectral artifacts consisting of displaced (not folded) bands and their previous erroneous assignments. Other practical aspects of time resolved Fourier transform spectroscopy with a rapid scanning Michelson interferometer are outlined.
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