Wavelength Selection for Optical Spectrometry

Spectroscopic instruments in the UV and visible regions are usually equipped with one or more devices to restrict the radiation being measured to a narrow band that is absorbed or emitted by the analyte. Many instruments use a monochromator or filter to isolate the desired wavelength band so that only the band of interest is detected or measured. Monochromators Monochromators generally have a diffraction grating to disperse the radiation into its component wavelengths. By rotating the grating, different wavelengths can be made to pass through the exit slit. Older instruments used prisms for this purpose. The output wavelength of a monochromator is thus continuously variable over a considerable spectral range. The wavelength range passed by a monochromator, called the spectral band-pass or effective bandwidth, can be less than 1 nm for moderately expensive instruments to greater than 20 nm for inexpensive systems. A spectrograph is a device that uses a grating to disperse a spectrum. It contains an entrance slit to define the area of the source to be viewed. A large opening at its exit allows a wide range of wavelengths to strike a multi-wavelength detector. A monochromator is a device that contains an entrance slit and an exit slit. The latter is used to isolate a small band of wavelengths. One band at a time is isolated, and different bands can be transmitted sequentially by rotating the grating. A polychromator contains multiple exit slits so that several wave bands can be isolated simultaneously. A typical grating monochromator 1. Radiation from the source enters the monochromator via a narrow rectangular opening, or slit. 2. The radiation is then collimated by a concave mirror, which produces a parallel beam that strikes the surface of the reflection grating. 3. Angular dispersions results from diffraction, which occurs at the reflective surface. Angular dispersion takes place at the grating surface. The two wavelengths are focused by another concave mirror onto the focal plane of the monochromator, where they appear as two images of the entrance slit. By rotating the grating, either one of these two images can be focused on the exit slit. Skoog, West et al, Fundamentals of analytical chemistry, 8th ed, ISBN-13: 978-0-03-035523-3

Many monochromators are equipped with adjustable slits to permit some control over the bandwidth. A narrow slit decreases the effective bandwidth, but also diminishes the power of the emergent beam. Thus, the minimum practical bandwidth may be limited by the sensitivity of the detector. Gratings Most gratings in modern monochromators are replica gratings, which are obtained by making castings of the master grating. The latter consists of a hard, optically flat, polished surface on which a suitably shaped diamond tool has created a large number of parallel and closely spaced grooves. Radiation Filters Filters operate by absorbing all but a restricted band of radiation from a continuum source. Two types of filters are used in spectroscopy: 1. Interference filters 2. Absorption filters Interference filters are typically used for absorption measurements, and they generally transmit a much greater fraction of radiation at their nominal wavelengths than do absorption lines.

Skoog, West et al, Fundamentals of analytical chemistry, 8th ed, ISBN-13: 978-0-03-035523-3