Spectroscopy refers to a number of techniques that use radiation to collect information about the structure and properties of matter, which can be used to solve a variety of analytical problems. In a nutshell, Aglient UV-Vis & UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy is concerned with the measurement and interpretation of spectra produced by the interaction of electromagnetic radiation (energy conveyed in the form of electromagnetic waves) with matter. It is concerned with atoms or molecules absorbing, emitting, or dispersing electromagnetic energy.
Environmental Analysis Using Spectroscopy
Environmental scientists have been using visible and ultraviolet spectroscopic approaches for years. Colorimetric tests that explore various water parameters (such as acidity) are now available in easy-to-use kits that use visual color matching or portable colorimeters. Metals in water or solid samples can be determined using emission spectroscopy or atomic absorption in the visible and ultraviolet ranges. Before pursuing analysis using these methods, the analyte must be immersed in solution. Nonetheless, atomic absorption spectrometry can be used to investigate certain solid or semisolid substances directly.
The emergence of long-range infrared sensors that can determine the concentration of particular substances in the air mass has made infrared spectroscopy a crucial addition to the environmental analysts’ arsenal. UV long-path approaches are also becoming more popular, though not as frequently as infrared spectroscopy. X-ray methods (such as X-ray fluorescence) have been used to assess the atomic composition of solid materials, and they have also been used to determine metal concentrations in airborne particulate matter and soil samples. Some environmental studies have used microwave region spectroscopy and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, however these techniques are not widely used.
Biomedical Sciences Spectroscopy
There are several diagnostic and therapeutic applications of light in biomedicine. Photon time-of-flight spectroscopy can help some therapeutic procedures (like photodynamic therapy) by providing information on the optical parameters that influence tissue response. The reliable absorption and scattering spectroscopy (given by time-of-flight spectroscopy) can also be quite useful in diagnostics, as seen by its recent introduction into microbiology.
Furthermore, steady-state near-infrared spectroscopy is an important tool in pharmaceutical research.
The fundamental benefit of this method is that it is quick and non-destructive, requiring little or no sample preparation. Furthermore, the development of chemometrics (data-driven information extraction) has boosted its ability to detect minor differences in complicated datasets. Recent advances in holographic microspectroscopy (an optical coherence tomography or quantitative phase imaging technology) offer non-invasive, label-free optical detection and quantification of individual molecules in human cells and tissues.
Spectroscopy is also used in astronomy to collect information on a particular celestial object’s composition, density, temperature, and other major physical processes. Scientists can utilize spectroscopy to calculate the relative velocities of supernovae and galaxies by measuring red-shift (recession speed).