Våglängdssteg

Våglängdssteg, often translated as wavelength step, refers to a discrete change or increment in wavelength. In various scientific contexts, particularly in spectroscopy and optics, phenomena or measurements do not always occur along a continuous spectrum of wavelengths. Instead, they may exhibit distinct jumps or steps at specific wavelengths. This can be due to a variety of physical mechanisms.

For instance, in the study of atomic or molecular spectra, electrons transition between quantized energy levels. When these transitions occur, photons are absorbed or emitted, and the energy of these photons corresponds to specific wavelengths. These wavelengths do not form a continuous band but rather appear as discrete lines, each representing a unique energy difference. The difference between adjacent spectral lines, or the resolution at which a spectrum is observed, can be considered in terms of wavelength steps.

In optical filters and gratings, the design aims to manipulate light by either transmitting, reflecting, or diffracting specific wavelengths. The resolution of these optical components, their ability to separate closely spaced wavelengths, can be described by their wavelength step. A smaller wavelength step indicates a higher resolution, allowing for finer distinctions between different spectral components. Similarly, in certain types of sensors or detectors, the sensitivity might change abruptly at specific wavelengths, creating observable wavelength steps in their response. The concept is fundamental to understanding how light interacts with matter and how optical instruments function.