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A monochromator transmits a pure wavelength of visible or non-visible light or radiation, making it useful in optics, cosmological research, and chemical analysis. It separates specific colors of light using prisms and reflectors, and adjustments can be made manually or through a control system.
A monochromator is a device that can transmit a wavelength of visible light, non-visible light, or radiation all by itself. Unlike many devices that transmit light, energy, or radiation, a monochromator transmits a pure wavelength. Most transmitting devices will transmit one main form of energy, but it will often be distorted in nearby near bands, such as adjacent colors of visible light or thermal interference. These devices have a limited number of uses, but within those uses they are essential. Some areas of optics, cosmological research and chemical analysis use these devices in a wide variety of experiments and tests.
The uses of a monochromator usually boil down to aiming a beam of specific energy at a sample and measuring the resulting emitted light. While this sounds very simple, it is actually extremely useful for determining sample composition, such as density and chemical composition. These processes are also used in the design and testing of optical systems that will operate under very specific or harsh conditions. By knowing how energy will interact with the system, some optical anomalies can be anticipated and accounted for.
The difference between a monochromator and other devices capable of transmitting clean energy is the range at which it can do so. In most cases, these devices can actually transmit different types of energy simply by adjusting the internal structures of the machine. This is especially common in those that transmit visible light; they can often display a large portion or even the entire spectrum of colors.
In visible light forms of the monochromator, there are several methods used to produce light, but reflecting the reflected light through prisms is one of the most common. At one end of the device, normal visible light is generated which contains all the different wavelengths of light. By selectively bouncing that light off prisms and reflectors inside the machine, it is possible to separate a specific color of light from the rest of the light. This will then shine through, typically via a slit or lens.
The angles, heights and positions of the prisms and reflectors determine the exact wave separated from the entire spectrum of light. By adjusting these objects, the monochromator can change the light it emits. In older machines, these adjustments were usually done by hand, but newer machines have all the internal parts connected to servers. A researcher can simply determine the frequency he wants active and dial it into the machine’s control system.
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