The study of light-matter interactions is incredibly vast and varied
with many similar-sounding sub-categories so no wonder students in the field
frequently make the mistake of mixing up terms. Spectrometry and spectroscopy
are two terms that are often mixed-up even though they have completely
different definitions. Essentially spectroscopy is the study of radiated energy
and matter aimed at figuring out how they interact together. Spectrometry is
the applied science of spectrometry so there are actually real-world
applications that can be useful. This article will go over some of the main
definitions of spectrometry and spectroscopy so moving forward you hopefully
won’t mix-up the two anymore.
Spectrometry
Spectrometry refers to the actual measurement of a specific spectrum,
there are four main types of spectrometers: mass spectrometers, neuron
triple-axis spectrometers, ion mobility spectrometers and finally, Rutherford
backscattering spectrometers. Think of these different types of spectrometers
as different types of analytic tools used for determining how energy and matter
interact. If you wish to look more into spectrometers, the ones from Pasco Scientific are a great
way to start. They are absolutely high-quality pieces of machinery so you can
put your theoretical knowledge of spectroscopy to good use and start applying
it to real-world problems with spectrometry. The following paragraphs will
highlight some of the applied uses of spectrometry.
Mass
Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry is an analytic technique used to measure the
mass-to-change ratio of ions. A sample material like metal is placed into the
mass spectrometer and it ionized, the results are then generally plotted as a
mass spectrum. Mass spectrometry has many direct applications such as
determining the isotopic composition of elements in a molecule.
Neuron
Triple Axis Spectrometry
Neuron triple-axis spectrometry is an analytic technique used in
inelastic neutron scattering; the three-axis refer to monochromatization, sample
interaction, and analyzing. It works by exciting neurons and then analyzing
their wavelengths in order to determine energy transfer. Triple axis
spectrometry has many useful applications, but it was originally designed for
measuring the phonons, which a crystalline compound can sustain when it’s
excited.
Ion-Mobility
Spectrometry
Ion-mobility spectrometry is an analytic technique intended to separate
and identify specific ionized molecules in their gas-phase depending on their
mobility in a carrier buffer gas. The way it works is that ions are separated
at standard atmospheric pressure after being charged under an electric field
where they then can be sorted by shape and size. Ion-mobility spectrometry is
incredibly interesting and has multiple applications such as in the detection
of drugs, explosives and even biological warfare agents since they can detect
pretty much any compound that is ionized.
Rutherford
Backscattering Spectrometry
Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, which is sometimes also
referred to as high-energy ion scattering (HEIS) spectrometry is an analytic
process used to determine the specific structure and composition of a substance
by measuring the backscattering of a beam of high energy ions, usually alpha
particles or protons. A Rutherford backscattering spectrometer requires three
essential components: a source of ions, a linear particle accelerator and a detector
capable of measuring the energies of the backscattered ions over multiple
angles. Applications of this method include the determination of the
composition of materials being tested and even their purity.
Spectroscopy
When energy is absorbed by matter, it causes it to enter an excited
state and can react in many ways, this is what the science of spectroscopy
looks into. Spectroscopy started off originally as the study of visible light
being dispersed according to its wavelengths. A classic example of spectroscopy
is analyzing white light when it enters a prism and is dispersed into different
colors. Later on, spectroscopy expanded to include the study of the interaction
of specific substances and different forms of energy as a function of their
frequency or wavelength.
Applications
of Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is studied across several different fields of research,
including chemistry, physics and even astronomy as it looks into the
composition and structures of different types of matter. Spectroscopy is a
broad field of study, but one example of what it looks into is the different
types of materials. When different types of materials are energized they will
express different sorts of characteristics. For example, when a sodium chloride molecule is charged with electricity, it will express different electron spin
states and molecular vibration than an ammonia molecule being charged at the
same level.
Spectroscopy also encompasses the study of how different types of
radiation affect compounds. By looking at how molecules and atoms react to different forms of energy like
microwaves or infrared light, we can learn more about their structure.
Spectroscopy is, therefore, more about scientific inquiry where spectrometry is
more about the applied use of matter and energy interactions.
Spectroscopy is the scientific study of the interaction between matter
and electromagnetic radiation. Spectrometry is the direct application of
spectroscopy and is used to measure the properties of specific spectrums. There
are four main types of spectrometry, which have their own specific
applications: mass spectrometry, neuron triple-axis spectrometry, ion mobility
spectrometry, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Remember these
definitions of spectroscopy and spectrometry and you won’t mix up the two
again.
