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Related Concept Videos

Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview01:02

Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview

Ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible or UV–Vis) spectroscopy is an analytical technique that investigates the interaction between matter and UV–Vis light within the electromagnetic spectrum. This method is widely used for its versatility, simplicity, and relatively quick data acquisition, making it valuable for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. When UV–Vis radiation passes through a material,  molecules absorb light depending on the energy required for electronic transitions. As a result...
UV–Vis Spectrometers01:14

UV–Vis Spectrometers

The absorbance of UV and visible (UV–visible) radiations is measured using a UV–visible spectrophotometer. Deuterium lamps, which emit UV radiation, and tungsten lamps, which produce radiation in the visible region, are used as light sources in UV–visible spectrophotometers. A monochromator or prism is used for diffraction grating, i.e., to split the incoming radiation into different wavelengths. A system of slits is used to focus the desired wavelength on the sample cell. Samples for...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions01:16

UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions

In Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation is used to probe the electronic structure of molecules. This technique provides insights into molecular electronic transitions, particularly the movement of electrons between different molecular orbitals. Radiation is absorbed if the energy of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the molecule is precisely equal to the energy difference between the excited and ground states. During this process,...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Conjugated Systems01:32

UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Conjugated Systems

Organic compounds with conjugated double bonds show strong absorption features in the UV–visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum attributed to π → π* electronic excitations. Generally, a UV–vis absorption spectrum is recorded as a plot of absorbance vs wavelength. The wavelength of maximum absorbance, which manifests as a peak in the absorption spectrum, is denoted as λmax.
One of the factors influencing λmax is the extent of conjugation in the...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Woodward–Fieser Rules01:29

UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Woodward–Fieser Rules

UV–Visible absorption spectra of conjugated dienes arise from the lowest energy π → π* transitions. The light-absorbing part of the molecule is called the chromophore, and the substituents directly attached to the chromophore are called auxochromes. A strong correlation exists between the absorption maxima, λmax, and the structure of a conjugated π system. The Woodward–Fieser rules predict the value of λmax for a given structure by adding the contributions...
UV–Vis Spectrum01:30

UV–Vis Spectrum

When light passes through a substance, a portion of the light is absorbed while the remaining light is reflected or transmitted. If the molecule absorbs light between the wavelengths of 180–400 nm range, the UV spectrum is obtained, and if it absorbs light in the 400–780 nm wavelength range, the visible spectrum is obtained.     
The UV–Vis spectrum of a molecule is the plot of its absorbance versus wavelength. The plot is drawn by taking molar absorptivity (ε) or log ε on the y-axis (ordinate)...

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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
11:34

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths

Published on: July 1, 2019

Planetary ultraviolet spectroscopy.

C A Barth

    Applied Optics
    |January 15, 2010
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Ultraviolet spectroscopy analyzes planetary atmospheres by examining light absorption and emission. This technique detects key molecules for life and potential biosignatures like oxygen and ozone.

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    Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry With Tunable Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Synchrotron Radiation
    09:53

    Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry With Tunable Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Synchrotron Radiation

    Published on: October 30, 2012

    Area of Science:

    • Planetary Science
    • Astrobiology
    • Spectroscopy

    Background:

    • Planetary atmospheres exhibit emission and absorption spectra.
    • These spectra arise from atomic and molecular interactions with radiation.
    • Understanding these spectra is crucial for remote atmospheric analysis.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To outline the principles of planetary atmospheric spectroscopy.
    • To detail how ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy can detect atmospheric constituents.
    • To explore the potential of UV spectroscopy in the search for extraterrestrial life.

    Main Methods:

    • Analyzing emission spectra from resonance scattering, fluorescence scattering, and photoelectron excitation.
    • Analyzing absorption spectra from ground reflection, atmospheric scattering, and absorption.
    • Utilizing telescope and scanning UV spectrometer observations from planetary spacecraft.

    Main Results:

    • UV spectroscopy can identify essential atoms and molecules for life, such as molecular nitrogen and water photodissociation products.
    • UV spectrometer experiments can detect atmospheric alterations indicative of life, like oxygen production via photosynthesis.
    • The presence of ozone, a byproduct of photosynthetic oxygen production, is detectable via UV spectroscopy.

    Conclusions:

    • UV spectroscopy is a powerful tool for characterizing planetary atmospheres.
    • This technique holds significant potential for identifying biosignatures and assessing habitability.
    • UV observations from spacecraft are vital for advancing planetary exploration and astrobiology.