Spectrometers

Spectrometers: Spectrum Analysis

Spectrometers are analytical instruments used to identify the characteristics of materials by measuring the emissions and absorption of electromagnetic spectra. The range of spectroscopic techniques is vast, and can be subdivided by what is being measured and how it is being measured:

• Atomic spectroscopy, including AA, X-ray, arc/spark, and plasma
• Mass spectrometry, analysis of the dispersion of ions as they interact with the sample
• Molecular spectroscopy, which encompasses IR, UV, UV-VIS, Raman, and NMR, and
• Fluorescence spectroscopy

The beauty of these techniques is that different technologies are often combined on one instrument to take advantage of the benefits of each, for example, IR/TOF-MS; particularly noteworthy are hyphenated techniques such as GC-MS and LC-MS.

Applications

You’ll find spectroscopic instruments being used in areas as diverse as the types of analysis.

• Nanotechnology
• Materials chemistry
• Drug discovery
• Life sciences
• Forensic science
• Environmental testing
• and more

How do I choose a spectrometer?

Specifications of spectrometers vary depending on type of technique and model, but there are a few points of interest that are applicable across the board, including the instrument’s spectral range, the dispersion of the grating or size of the spectra on the array; its spectral resolution, or ability to differentiate two overlapping peaks; and its mass range, resolution, and accuracy.

Looking ahead

Innovations in spectroscopy technology have expanded its use in genetic variation analysis and metabolomics. Cost-effective UV-VIS polarimeters, reflectometers, and microvolume UV-VIS systems represent another area of growth. The miniaturization trend is seen in the proliferation of handheld, portable instruments, such as Raman spectrometers for use in the field.

Click on the links below to discover and compare spectrometers from various manufacturers: