What is the primary function of the infrared light in the Intoxilyzer 8000?

The primary function of the infrared light in the Intoxilyzer 8000 is to measure alcohol concentration. This device employs infrared spectroscopy, which is a method that involves the absorption of infrared light by alcohol molecules present in the breath sample. When an individual exhales into the device, the infrared light passes through the sample, and specific wavelengths of light are absorbed by alcohol molecules.

The system then analyzes how much light is absorbed to determine the concentration of alcohol in the breath. As each substance has a unique absorption pattern, the Intoxilyzer 8000 can specifically target the alcohol present in the sample for accurate quantification. This precision in measurement is why the functionality of infrared light in this context is so critical to the operation of the device, directly correlating to the purpose of detecting and quantifying blood alcohol concentration.