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What is Fluorescence Spectroscopy?
19/08/13

Beamsplitters&Polarizers Manufacturer

 

What is Fluorescence Spectroscopy?

Fluorescence is the phenomenon where a molecule absorbs light within its absorption band and then emits this light at longer wavelengths within its emission band. This phenomenon can be used to identify, quantify, and observe chemical activity, and it is a popular method due to its high levels of sensitivity, simplicity, and specificity.

Fluorescence spectroscopy is a spectroscopy method used to analyze the fluorescence properties of a sample by determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. This technique is widely used for measuring compounds in a solution, and it is a relatively easy method to perform. This blog post will look at fluorescence spectroscopy in more detail.

Fluorescence Spectroscopy Configuration

In fluorescence spectroscopy, a light of a specific wavelength band is passed through a solution, which emits the light towards a filter and into a detector for measurement. The amount of light that is absorbed by the sample (excitation spectrum) and the amount of light that is emitted by the sample (emission spectrum) can be quantified.

The concentration levels of the analyte compound within the solution can be determined as these levels are directly proportional to the emission spectrum.

Fluorescence Spectroscopy Filters

We briefly mentioned filters when outlining the configuration of a fluorescence spectroscopy device, and most of these devices are based on the filters within them. There are various types of filters that can be used within a fluorescence spectroscopy instrument, and here we’ll outline a few of them.

An interference filter reflects a certain wavelength range and transmits another, with virtually no absorption. In a fluorescence spectroscopy instrument, these filters work as a wavelength selector, by reflecting the undesired wavelengths. These filters come in many forms, including bandpass.

Bandpass filters work by allowing certain wavelengths to pass through and blocking any wavelength outside of that range. Bandpass filters are used within these fluorescence spectroscopy instruments to measure the excitation and emission spectrum. They are used to block out any other sources of excitation or emission that may affect the results.

A beam splitter is used to split incident light into multiple wavelengths, or by intensity. Within a fluorescence spectroscopy device, a dichroic beamsplitter is used to reflect and transmit light into the bandpass filters.

Optical Filters from Honour Optics

Honour Optics supply a range of optical filters that are ideal for use in fluorescence spectroscopy devices. We have developed and manufactured interference filters, bandpass filters, and beam splitters to the highest quality.

Honour Optics uses ultra-hard surface coatings on many of our filters, which enables the filters to perform exceptionally well in intense light and humidity.

If you would like any more information about our range of optical filters for fluorescence spectroscopy, please e-mail to [email protected].