Spectrometry, what is it and how does it work

Research takes more than simply looking at an object expecting to find all the information you require. Real research demands deeper investigation, more thorough via the use of specific instruments, designed for the research that you wish to do. one of these types of instruments are spectrometers. A scientific instrument that is used to measure spectral components of a physical phenomenon. Because the type of research might varies, the type of instrument varies as well, just like goals that are set, for which you wish to use these instruments.

How does it help?

In the most diverse sense, spectrometers are used to measure the differences of a physical characteristic of a specified spectrum. This might be to check a mass-to-charge ratio in the case of a mass spectrometer, when using an NMR spectrometer you could check the variation of nuclear resonant frequencies and you can check the fluctuations in the absorption and emission of light within a wavelength via the use of an optical spectrometer.

Obviously, there are a good number of types of spectrometers and each of these can be used for different types of research. to give you an idea, we will give you a couple of examples of the use cases.

What are the use cases?

As said above, a spectrometer is an instrument to measure spectral components. one of the many uses of spectrometry is reflection spectroscopy, which is most often used to characterise objects and several types of materials in a non-destructive manner. The respective spectrometer compares the light used for illumination and shows you the characteristics of the researched material like colours and compounds.

The research of absorption could require spectrometry as well. The absorbance of a material is a ratio of the radiation that has fallen or is falling upon a material, to the radiation transmitted through a material. The UV absorbance measurements encompass a rather broad variety of chemical and biochemical applications. The UV absorbance can be applied in both quality and quantity methods for spectroscopic measurements.

Where to get it?

Spectrometers are very easy to acquire, you can order them from their respective company website and/or by calling the company directly. some companies like Avantes offer bundles, these combine several products that are perfectly fit for the type of research you wish to pursue that are ideal for the application. In the afore-mentioned company example, the products are flexible and have a multi-purpose.

Added software compatibilities

Many companies sell their own line of spectrometry products and bundles to add to the research capabilities. Some companies offer their own version of software, compatible with the spectrometers they sell. This software often provides a detailed description and explanation of the acquired results, generated from the research.