Spektroskooppi

Spektroskooppi is the Finnish term for a spectroscope, an optical instrument used to observe and analyze the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation emitted, transmitted, or reflected by a source. By dispersing light into its component wavelengths, a spektroskooppi reveals spectral lines and features that indicate the physical and chemical properties of the source.

A basic spektroskooppi consists of an entrance slit, a collimating element, a dispersive element (historically a prism, more commonly a diffraction grating today) and an eyepiece or detector. Light entering the slit is made parallel, dispersed by wavelength, and then focused to form a spectrum that can be examined visually or recorded electronically. Resolution depends on slit width, dispersive element quality, and optical alignment.

Spectroscopic observations differentiate between continuous, emission, and absorption spectra. Emission and absorption lines correspond to atomic and molecular transitions, allowing identification of elements, measurement of temperatures, densities, velocities (via Doppler shift), and concentrations in laboratory and remote sources. Applications span astronomy, chemical analysis, environmental monitoring, forensic science, and materials research.

Modern instruments derived from the spektroskooppi include spectrometers and spectrographs that couple dispersive optics to detectors and data systems for quantitative analysis. Calibration and wavelength standards are essential for accurate measurements. Limitations include instrumental broadening, sensitivity to stray light, and constraints on spectral range set by optics and detectors.