spektrometry

Spectrometry, or spektrometry in some languages, is a set of analytical techniques that measure how matter interacts with electromagnetic radiation or with charged particles in order to derive information about composition, structure, and properties. The field covers optical spectrometry, which analyzes interactions with light, as well as mass spectrometry, which analyzes ions.

Optical spectrometry includes ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. In absorption methods, molecules absorb light at characteristic wavelengths, producing spectra that reflect electronic or vibrational transitions; concentrations can be estimated using the Beer-Lambert law. Fluorescence detects light emitted after excitation, often with high sensitivity. Raman spectroscopy identifies molecules from vibrational fingerprints created by inelastic scattering of light.

Mass spectrometry involves ionizing samples and separating the resulting ions by their mass-to-charge ratio to produce a mass spectrum. This reveals molecular weight, elemental composition, and structural information from fragmentation patterns. When coupled with separation techniques such as gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC-MS), MS can analyze complex mixtures and provide sensitive, specific measurements. High-resolution or exact-mass MS enables precise determination of formulas.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, another key method, uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency radiation to probe nuclear spins. NMR yields detailed information about molecular structure, dynamics, and purity and is widely used in chemistry and biomedicine. Spectrometry requires careful calibration, appropriate sample preparation, and reference data to ensure accurate interpretation. Applications span chemistry, biology, environmental science, medicine, and industry.