Monochromators diffraction gratings

The first requirement is a source of infrared radiation that emits all frequencies of the spectral range being studied. This polychromatic beam is analyzed by a monochromator, formerly a system of prisms, today diffraction gratings. The movement of the monochromator causes the spectrum from the source to scan across an exit slit onto the detector. This kind of spectrometer in which the range of wavelengths is swept as a function of time and monochromator movement is called the dispersive type. 

The construction of a typical monochromator is shown in Figure 10.12. Radiation from the source enters the monochromator through an entrance slit. The radiation is collected by a collimating mirror, which reflects a parallel beam of radiation to a diffraction grating. The diffraction grating is an optically reflecting surface with... 

Typical grating monochromator with inset showing the dispersion of the radiation by the diffraction grating. 

Figure 8.28 shows how the X-rays fall on the solid or liquid sample which then emits X-ray fluorescence in the region 0.2-20 A. The fluorescence is dispersed by a flat crystal, often of lithium fluoride, which acts as a diffraction grating (rather like the quartz crystal in the X-ray monochromator in Figure 8.3). The fluorescence may be detected by a scintillation counter, a semiconductor detector or a gas flow proportional detector in which the X-rays ionize a gas such as argon and the resulting ions are counted.

Today s commercially available chromatogram spectrometers usually employ diffraction gratings for monochromation. These possess the following advantages over prism monochromators which are still employed in the Schoeffel doublebeam spectrodensitometer SD 3000 and in the Zeiss chromatogram spectrometer ... 

Fig. 19.2 Layout of an infrared spectrophotometer employing a diffraction grating for monochromation. Reproduced by permission from R. C. J. Osland, Principles and Practices of Infrared Spectroscopy, 2nd edn, Philips Ltd, 1985.

Monochromators for dispersing X-radiation utilize single crystals which behave like a diffraction grating. The spacing of the crystal lattice determines the angles at which radiation is reflected and generally two or more different crystals are required to cover the X-ray region of the spectrum. 

The basic instrumentation used for spectrometric measurements has already been described in the previous chapter (p. 277). Methods of excitation, monochromators and detectors used in atomic emission and absorption techniques are included in Table 8.1. Sources of radiation physically separated from the sample are required for atomic absorption, atomic fluorescence and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (cf. molecular absorption spectrometry), whereas in flame photometry, arc/spark and plasma emission techniques, the sample is excited directly by thermal means. Diffraction gratings or prism monochromators are used for dispersion in all the techniques including X-ray fluorescence where a single crystal of appropriate lattice dimensions acts as a grating. Atomic fluorescence spectra are sufficiently simple to allow the use of an interference filter in many instances. Photomultiplier detectors are used in every technique except X-ray fluorescence where proportional counting or scintillation devices are employed. Photographic recording of a complete spectrum facilitates qualitative analysis by optical emission spectrometry, but is now rarely used. 

Fluorescence Instrumentation and Measurements. Fluorescence spectra of the FS samples were obtained on a steady state spectrofluorometer of modular construction with a 1000 W xenon arc lamp and tandem quarter meter excitation monochromator and quarter meter analysis monochromator. The diffraction gratings In the excitation monochromators have blaze angles that allow maximum light transmission at a wavelength of 240 nm. Uncorrected spectra were taken under front-face Illumination with exciting light at 260 nm. Monomer fluorescence was measured at 280 nm and exclmer fluorescence was measured at 330 nm, where there Is no overlap of exclmer and monomer bands. 

The diffraction grating monochromator is a specific example of mnltiple beam interference effects. Interference between multiple beams can be generated by both division of amplitude (as in the Fabry-Perot interferometer) or by division of wave front (as in the diffraction grating). (Figures 5.9 and 5.10)... 

Figure 7.8 Outline of a grating monochromator. S, slit Mj, M2, spherical mirrors D, diffraction grating W, wall P, photographic plate...

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