Estimating Fluor Emission Spectra Using Digital Image Analysis Compared to Spectrophotometer Measurements

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Image Analysis

Background:

• Conventional fluorescence spectrophotometers are expensive, complex, and difficult to access for many users.
• There is a need for simpler, more affordable methods to analyze light emission spectra.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a practical method for obtaining fluorescence spectra using a digital camera.
• To assess the feasibility of using image analysis for spectral measurements in liquid scintillators.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a digital camera to capture light emitted by a fluor in a liquid scintillator.
• Developed an image processing technique to correlate camera exposure data with wavelengths.
• Established a Hue-Wavelength (H-W) response curve using a light-emitting diode (LED) in the 400-450 nm range.

Main Results:

• Emission spectra obtained via digital imaging were compared to those from a fluorescence spectrophotometer.
• The digital camera method demonstrated potential for accurate emission wavelength determination within acceptable uncertainty.
• The technique proved non-invasive for sealed liquid scintillator samples.

Conclusions:

• Digital camera-based spectral analysis offers a viable, cost-effective alternative to traditional spectrophotometry.
• This method can be implemented in educational and research settings for chemistry and physics experiments.
• The approach provides a user-friendly and accessible tool for spectral analysis.