Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
09:53
Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry With Tunable Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Synchrotron Radiation
Published on: October 30, 2012
On-blaze scanning monochromator for the vacuum ultraviolet
1US Naval Research Laboratory, Optical Probes Branch, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
Applied Optics
|April 15, 2010
Summary
This study adapts Rowland circle mounting for VUV monochromators to ensure maximum efficiency by keeping diffraction gratings always on-blaze. Practical implementation is limited to grazing incidence, with scanning range extended via a grating carousel.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Spectroscopy
- Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Instrumentation
Background:
- Rowland circle mounting is commonly used for scanning VUV monochromators with concave blazed diffraction gratings.
- Maintaining optimal grating efficiency is crucial for VUV spectroscopy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt the Rowland circle mounting for VUV monochromators to achieve constant on-blaze operation.
- To enhance the overall efficiency of VUV monochromators.
Main Methods:
- Modifying the Rowland circle mounting to ensure diffraction gratings operate on-blaze across the scanning range.
- Investigating the feasibility of this adaptation at various angles of incidence.
- Implementing a grazing incidence configuration for practical application.
- Utilizing a carousel system to store and switch between gratings with different groove densities.
Main Results:
- The adapted mounting ensures the VUV monochromator operates at maximum efficiency by maintaining an on-blaze condition.
- Grazing incidence monochromators are identified as the most practical configuration for this adaptation.
- The scanning range is found to be narrower than conventional monochromators but can be effectively extended.
Conclusions:
- The proposed adaptation significantly improves VUV monochromator efficiency by ensuring constant on-blaze operation.
- Grazing incidence configurations are recommended for practical implementation of this technique.
- A grating carousel system provides a viable solution for extending the scanning range of these optimized monochromators.
Related Concept Videos
01:14UV–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...
01:02Ultraviolet 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...
01:13Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Radiation and Light Sources
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) relies on the Beer-Lambert law, which requires that the radiation source emits a narrow range of wavelengths to match the absorption characteristics of the analyte atom. The primary criteria for choosing an appropriate radiation source in AAS is to provide a precise and intense emission at specific wavelengths that will allow accurate detection of the analyte.
Two common narrow-range 'line' sources used in AAS are hollow-cathode lamps (HCLs) and...
Two common narrow-range 'line' sources used in AAS are hollow-cathode lamps (HCLs) and...
01:16UV–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,...
01:22Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers. Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.
01:22Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
An atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) comprises several components: a radiation source, an atomizer, a monochromator, and a detector. The radiation source can be a hollow-cathode lamp (HCL) or an electrodeless-discharge lamp (EDL), both of which provide a narrow emission line of the required wavelength. However, some instruments use continuum sources and high-resolution monochromators to achieve a narrow range of radiation.
The atomizer used in AAS can be either a flame atomizer or an...
The atomizer used in AAS can be either a flame atomizer or an...