A fuzzy method for component identification and mixture evaluation in the ultraviolet spectral range

A fuzzy theory approach is proposed for interpreting component spectra that takes into account the imprecise character of both reference and sample spectra. The method enables more decisions to be made than is possible in least-squares comparison of spectra. The method can be used to quantify components under overlapping bands as needed in multicomponent spectrophotometry and for component resolution in chromatography with u.v. detection. The method is particularly suitable for problems in the u.v. range because it can deal with continuous spectra where factor and principal components methods fail.