Spectroscopy is the scientific technique that is used to measure the movement of light, whether it is emitted, absorbed, or scattered because of certain materials (Wiggins). These materials can be studied using this technique. Spectrometers are the devices that make this process possible. These devices break light into its spectral components and transform them into functions of wavelength or signals in order for us to observe and to analyze them in our computers (B&W Tek). Since light can be broken down into several parts, these spectrometers act like a prism wherein it differentiates each color from one another. With this, each color’s strength can be measured. There are a lot of types of spectrometers like UV spectrometers, IR spectrometers, atomic spectrometers, and mass spectrometers. One of the uses of a spectrometer is the determination of the makeup of bodies in the outer space like stars (Smathers).
Euclid can be traced as the first person to be involved with spectrometer because of his experiment with spherical mirrors. However, Isaac Newton was the one who first coined the word spectrum in defining the color range of the light scattering through a prism (Whiting). And in 19th century, the first spectrometers have been produced and used for analyzation.
All spectrometers have three parts that are essential: production of a spectrum, dispersion of the spectrum, and measurement of the intensities produced from the said spectrum (Whiting). Just like humans, each substance or element has its own fingerprint, which means, each of these materials vary with their light frequencies (Whiting). And with this knowledge, the researchers can analyze and identify the unknown matter using spectrometers by comparing them to the patterns of matter that are known. The basic design of a spectrometer, nowadays, includes a slitted screen, diffraction grating, and a photodetector (Smathers). With the light source passing through the screen, it reaches the diffraction grating that splits the light into its components, just like a prism, and these will be reflected to the photodetector that could differentiate the wavelengths from one another (Smathers).
Works Cited
“How Does a Spectrometer Work?” B&W Tek. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. <http://bwtek.com/spectrometer-introduction/>.
Smathers, Michael O. “How Does a Spectrometer Work?” EHow. Demand Media. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. <http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5256312_spectrometer-work.html>. Whiting, Dyna. “What Is a Spectrometer?” Ehow. Demand Media. Web. 28 March 2016. <http://www.ehow.com/about_5372347_spectrometer.html>.Wiggins, Don. “Spectroscopy.” Solar System Exploration. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. <https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/deepimpact/science/spectroscopy.cfm>.
