Spectrograph - StellarNet, Inc.

What is an Aberration?

Mar 19, 2017 | Glossary of Spectroscopy Terms, Properties of Light, Spectrograph

An aberration is when an optical system deviates from the expected ideal outcome. For example, lenses are expected to focus all rays of light to a single focal point. In practice, no lenses accomplish this. The cause of the deviation is called an aberration. In...

What is Wavelength (Spectral) Range?

Mar 19, 2017 | Glossary of Spectroscopy Terms, Spectrograph

The wavelength range (also called spectral range) is the range of wavelengths that each spectrometer can measure. StellarNet offers spectrometer options that cover a 190-2500nm wavelength range. Wavelength range is based on the spectrometers grating’s ability...

What is a Diffraction Grating?

Mar 19, 2017 | Glossary of Spectroscopy Terms, Spectrograph

Also called a grating for short, a diffraction grating is by far the most common dispersive element in spectrographs these days. As might be guessed, diffraction gratings work through diffraction. The gratings can be transmissive or reflective, but the principles are...

What is Dispersion (concept)?

Mar 19, 2017 | Glossary of Spectroscopy Terms, Spectrograph

Generally, dispersion is an effect that happens because the velocity of waves in a material depends on wavelength. This manifests in many different phenomenon, but only one is encountered on a regular basis: the index of refraction is dependent on wavelength. This...