Spectrometer

Introduction: Any light source is characterized by its spectrum. Spectrum means a variation of intensity as a function of wavelength. By measuring the spectrum or the wavelength of light one can estimate some of the optical properties of material viz; refractive index of a transparent material, absorption, transmission and the reflection properties of optical material. The device that measures the wavelength is termed as spectrometer. In this experiment we will learn about the spectrometer to be used to measure the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation in the visible region (or to measure the wavelength of light. Basic construction of the spectrometer The spectrometer to be used is shown in Fig 1

It has three major components: Collimator, telescope and prism or grating Table. These can be independently moved around their common vertical axis passing through the center of the spectrometer. One circular angular scale together with verniers diametrically located opposite to each other (180 off) enables one to read angular displacements. Collimator Collimator is a device, which produces a parallel beam of light. It consists of a outer metallic tube, One end of outer tube is fitted with a slit of adjustable width as shown. The other end a lens is mounted with the help of another co axial tube, which can be moved inside the outer one. The Optical arrangement of collimator assembly is shown in Fig 2. Ray diagram of collimator

The separation between the lens and slit can be adjusted by moving the inner tube with the help of a knob. The slit is illuminated by source under inspection. If the separation between the lens and slit is equal to the focal length then slit act as a source of light placed at focus of the lens. From the property of the beam, coming out of the lens is a parallel beam. These parallel beams of rays have to be incident on the grating Prism table or grating table Prism table (grating table) is used to place the dispersive element like prism or the grating which can disperse the different wavelength in different direction. The height and the orientation of this table can be adjusted with respect to collimator axis for the proper mounting of prism or grating. Telescope Telescope is used to detect the light. It can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the prism table and passing through the center of the table. Angular position of the telescope can be recorded with the help of two circular scales (as shown in Fig 1). The axis of collimator and telescope lies in same horizontal plane.
1. Focus the eyepiece of telescope on its cross-wires (by viewing the cross-wires against a white

background such as a wall) such that a distinct (virtual) image of the cross-wires is seen by you. When you have completed the above eyepiece adjustment, you have apparently got the image of the crosswires located at this distance comfortable for your eyes. Henceforth do not disturb this adjustment. 2. Focus the telescope onto a distant (infinity!) object, preferably having a vertical line or mark on it. Bring the image of the distant object onto the focal plane of the eyepiece, where the cross-wires are located. Test the absence of parallax between the image of the distant object (or rather its vertical line) and the vertical cross-wires. Parallax effect (i.e. separation of two things when you move your head across horizontally) exists, if the cross wire and the image of the distant object are not at the same distance from your eyes. Now the telescope is adjusted for receiving parallel rays. Henceforth do not disturb this adjustment. 3. Illuminate the entrance slit of the collimator uniformly with a mercury lamp or sodium lamp (lamp should be placed in side a wooden cabinet as shown in fig1 with a relatively broad slit for the light to come out of it). Use the telescope for viewing the illuminated slit through the collimator and adjust the collimator (changing the separation between its lens and slit) till clear sharp image of the slit is brought to the plane of cross-wires again testing for absence of parallax. Now the collimator is set for parallel beam of light. Henceforth do not disturb this adjustment. 4. By performing above settings the spectrometer is set for the parallel beams of light and telescope is set for receiving them.