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Keywords:
Basic experiment
Intended institutions and users:
Physics Laboratory
Engineering department
Electronic department
Biophotonics department
Physics education in Medicine
PE-1400 Spectrometer
An optical spectrometer or simply spectrometer is an apparatus to record the intensity distribution as a function of the wavelength of a light source. Spectrometer played and still play an important role in a variety of applications. The emitted radiation from a source provides information about the atomic and molecular energetically structure. It is a keyhole to the fascinating world of quantum mechanical and optical processes. The first spectrometer used prisms to achieve the required spatial separation of the incoming light. By using a precise goniometer the exit angle is measured and set into relation of the wavelength. The emerging optical gratings made the spectrometer more precise and enhanced the resolution significantly. Another step towards more convenient use can be seen in the development of two dimensional CCD chips allowing the real time measurement and data storage with computer. Last but not least the optical fibre made it very comfortable to bring the light to the spectrometer. Today's spectrometer are available in a size of halve a brick providing a spectral range from 200 to 1200 nm with a resolution of 1 nm. Such a spectrometer is part of this experiment to train the students in the application of the most import optical measuring apparatus. Within the scope of the experiments three different light sources are used and characterised by the spectrometer. The spectra of a white light, a NIR LED and a incandescent lamp are compared and discussed. Two optical filter are placed in the front of the light sources and the transmission spectrum recorded.
PE-1400 Spectrometer
The light entrance of the spectrometer is formed by the entry slit with a width designed for the intended use. It is typically 50 µm to achieve a resolution of 1 nm in a range of 200-1200 nm. Of course the resolution depends on further parameters like the internal geometry and the grating constant. The slit is located directly behind the fibre panel jack and is illuminated directly or by the attached fibre. The provided sample lamps are equipped with matching fibre jacks to allow the direct connection with the fibre. To practise the important absorption measurement a set of different filters are used. Finally a Neon spectral lamp is provided which emits a number of lines with precisely known wavelength. The comparison of the spectrometer reading to this lines allows the calibration of the spectrometer.
Line spectrum of the Neon lamp
Spectrum of tungsten wire lamp
PE-1400 Spectrometer
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