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Spectrophotometers

Spectroscopy involves studying the interaction between the radiant energy and the matter. Spectroscopy originated from the  study of the dispersed visible light through a prism  according to its wavelength.

Spectrometry and spectrograph are applied for the measurement of radiation intensity as a function of wavelength or frequency of the light. The different measuring devices for spectrum are usually known as spectrometers, spectrographs, spectrophotometers, and spectral analyzers.

Basically, a spectrophotometer consists of three main elements: a source of light source, some means for  directing the light to an object, and that to receive reflected light from the object.  The spectrometer measures the intensity of received light as a function of its wavelength. In modern type of spectrometers, a CPU is additionally added to analyze the data.

There are several types of spectrophotometers available in the market. These can be classified in different ways depending upon the method of their working. The major distinction in the spectrometers is based on:

  • measurement techniques employed
  • the  wavelengths they can work with
  • the method to create a spectrum.


You can see the different colors of components of light in a rainbow. The light does not compose of only a single  electromagnetic wavelength, rather it is composed of a number of electromagnetic waves of distinct wavelengths. These components ( wavelengths) of the light are split with a spectrometer. By splitting the light to its different components, the  spectrum or the  composition of the light from the source can be determined. Spectroscopy is used to analyze the different  of wavelengths of visible light. Spectrophotometers play an important role in various applications.

Working of a Spectrometer:

A ray of light passes  through a collimator, which changes it  into a parallel beam that  falls on a diffraction grating. The  diffraction gratings are a surface having several thousand lines etched on it. This causes to diffract different components of  light into the different beams. The diffracted light falls on reflecting  mirrors, which direct the light on to a charged coupled device (CCD) that checks  the intensity of the  different wavelengths ( components ) and converts each of them  into electronic signals.
 
These signals  are fed to  a computer for analyzing  further. In a simple type of spectrometer, the light may be made to  fall on a flat surface instead using  a CCD, for analyzing the spectrum.
 
Earlier, prisms were used in spectrometers in place of diffraction gratings. A moving telescope was used to measure the angle of  angle of diffraction for  each wavelength. Such type of spectrometers are even  used now in a Physics laboratory in the schools and colleges.
 
The different spectrometers may work in different ways according to their construction. However, the basic principle of working remains the same.

A  spectrophotometer is highly useful instrument, which is  used  in various applications in physics, chemistry and  astronomy. Numerous industries such as chemical, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and semiconductor use a spectrophotometer.

There are many renowned brands that manufacture several types of  spectrophotometers of various configurations to be used by different users.
A few brands are Horbia (www.horiba.com) e,g Horbia U1000 double Raman spectrophotometer. Horbia microscopic laser Raman spectrophotometer. Biochrom  (www.biocrhom.co.uk) is a world leader in spectrophotometry and has been designing and manufacturing UV/VIS spectrophotometers since 1981. UVIKON UV/VIS Spectrophotometers make  UVIKON XL and UVIKON XS that are available with a complete range of accessories and software.

There are various types of spectrometers, which can be bought in the market. You must be able to exactly identify the exact need. Irrespective of its type, a functional used spectrometer can be often found with some specialized suppliers. Many used spectrometers are as good as a new instrument. A used spectrometer can also  save you 30 to 80 percent on the costs.

A spectrometer can be used for buying  different configurations for example commercial, desktop and portable. Before purchasing a new or a used spectrometer, there are certain important factors that are to be too considered.

You must confirm about their  calibration, upgraded, wavelength range, make and model, ability for  high-speed analysis, sample response time, verification of accuracy levels, NIST Compatibility and other details. www.uvspectrophotometer.net provides you all guidelines for buying spectrophotometers.

If you are interested in buying a new or used spectrophotometer you visit:  www.oxfordlabs.co.uk


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