Optical spectrometers are used to define the properties of light for a variety of scientific applications. These optical instruments are used to detect spectral lines and measure wavelength as well as intensity. They are also used to measure light on the electromagnetic spectrum, most often to determine what types of materials are present. Other common uses for spectrometers involves testing the efficiency of optical filters or to detect non-optical wavelengths such as gamma rays and x-rays.
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Because optical spectrometers are used in many different types of scientific analysis, a range of models is manufactured that are geared toward specific types of jobs. Raman spectrometers are optimized for Raman applications using visible to near infrared light. Fluorescence spectrometers are geared for usage in low light applications where the ability to detect weak signals is crucial. In additional, many fluorescence spectrometers have broadband spectral response ranges that can detect wide wavelength bands.
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Optical spectrometers are used widely in astronomy to analyze radiation and chemical composition of astronomical objects. Much of our knowledge of the makeup of the universe comes from calculations made by scientists using optical spectrometers, which determine chemical makeup from spectral fingerprints emitted by celestial objects.