Wavelength monochromators

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. 

An instrument for measuring absorbance that uses a monochromator to select the wavelength. 

Infrared instruments using a monochromator for wavelength selection are constructed using double-beam optics similar to that shown in Figure 10.26. Doublebeam optics are preferred over single-beam optics because the sources and detectors for infrared radiation are less stable than that for UV/Vis radiation. In addition, it is easier to correct for the absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric CO2 and 1420 vapor when using double-beam optics. Resolutions of 1-3 cm are typical for most instruments. 

Multielemental Analysis Atomic emission spectroscopy is ideally suited for multi-elemental analysis because all analytes in a sample are excited simultaneously. A scanning monochromator can be programmed to move rapidly to an analyte s desired wavelength, pausing to record its emission intensity before moving to the next analyte s wavelength. Proceeding in this fashion, it is possible to analyze three or four analytes per minute. 

Additions to the PLM include monochromatic filters or a monochromator to obtain dispersion data (eg, the variation in refractive index with wavelength). By the middle of the twentieth century, ultraviolet and infrared radiation were used to increase the identification parameters. In 1995 the FTIR microscope gives a view of the sample and an infrared absorption pattern on selected 100-p.m areas (about 2—5-ng samples) (37). 

Sohd-state multi-element detector arrays in the focal planes of simple grating monochromators can simultaneously monitor several absorption features. These devices were first used for uv—vis spectroscopy. Infrared coverage is limited (see Table 3), but research continues to extend the response to longer wavelengths. Less expensive nir array detectors have been appHed to on-line process instmmentation (125) (see Photodetectors). 

Fluorometry and Phosphorimetry. Modem spectrofluorometers can record both fluorescence and excitation spectra. Excitation is furnished by a broad-band xenon arc lamp foUowed by a grating monochromator. The selected excitation frequency, is focused on the sample the emission is coUected at usuaUy 90° from the probe beam and passed through a second monochromator to a photomultiplier detector. Scan control of both monochromators yields either the fluorescence spectmm, ie, emission intensity as a function of wavelength X for a fixed X, or the excitation spectmm, ie, emission intensity at a fixed X as a function of X. Fluorescence and phosphorescence can be distinguished from the temporal decay of the emission. 

Jin x-ray monochromator. A monochromator is a large single crystal (usually graphite) that is oriented so that a very iatense reflection is directed toward the sample. AH wavelengths are absorbed by the monochromator except a small range of wavelengths used for the diffraction experiment. Usually only the characteristic radiation is used if an x-ray tube is the x-ray source. 

Fluorescence spectra were measured at wavelength scanning of tunable dye-laser. In spite of the monochromic excitation the fluorescence spectmm has quite complex composition. Such variety of wavelengths allows to optimize fluorescence excitation and registration for any technological conditions. 

The only X-ray source with sufficient intensity for surface measurements is synchrotron radiation. Synchrotron radiation is white light, including all wavelengths ftom the infrared to X rays. A spectroscopy experiment needs a particular wavelength (photon energy) to be selected with a monochromator and scanned through... 

Light from an appropriate light source (a xenon arc or a halogen or tun ten lamp) passes through a monochromator (probe monochromator). The exit intensity at wavelength "k, IqCK), is focused onto the sample by means of a lens (or mirror). Tbe reflected light is collected by a second lens (mirror) and focused onto an appropriate detector (photomultiplier, photodiode, etc.). For simplicity, the two lenses (mirrors) are not shown in Figure 2. For modulated transmission the detector is placed behind the sample. 

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