How Does a Spectrometer Work?




The basic function of a spectrometer is to take in light, break it into its spectral components, digitize the signal as a function of wavelength, and read it out and display it through a computer. The first step in this process is to direct light through a fiber optic cable into the spectrometer through a narrow aperture known as an entrance slit. The slit vignettes the light as it enters the spectrometer. In most spectrometers, the divergent light is then collimated by a concave mirror and directed onto a grating. The grating then disperses the spectral components of the light at slightly varying angles, which is then focused by a second concave mirror and imaged onto the detector. Alternatively, a concave holographic grating can be used to perform all three of these functions simultaneously. This alternative has various advantages and disadvantages, which will be discussed in more detail later on.


Once the light is imaged onto the detector the photons are then converted into electrons which are digitized and read out through a USB (or serial port) to a computer. The software then interpolates the signal based on the number of pixels in the detector and the linear dispersion of the diffraction grating to create a calibration that enables the data to be plotted as a function of wavelength over the given spectral range. This data can then be used and manipulated for countless spectroscopic applications, some of which will be discussed here later on.


In the following sections we will explain the inner-workings of a spectrometer and how all of the components work together to achieve a desired outcome, so that no matter what your application is, you’ll know what to look for. We’ll first discuss each component individually so that you have a full understanding of their function in the workings of a spectrometer, then we’ll discuss the variety of configurations that are possible with those components, and why each of them has a different function. We’ll even touch on some of the accessories used to make your application as successful as it can possibly be.