You have requested a machine translation of selected content from our databases. This functionality is provided solely for your convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation. Neither SPIE nor the owners and publishers of the content make, and they explicitly disclaim, any express or implied representations or warranties of any kind, including, without limitation, representations and warranties as to the functionality of the translation feature or the accuracy or completeness of the translations.
Translations are not retained in our system. Your use of this feature and the translations is subject to all use restrictions contained in the Terms and Conditions of Use of the SPIE website.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print format on
SPIE.org.
Abstract
Spectroscopy is the study of matter using electromagnetic radiation. While this definition is nominally correct, it is rather simple. On this basis, one could argue that everything we know about the universe comes from spectroscopy, since much of we have learned comes from what we see in the world around us. But simply looking at a picture or painting is not usually considered âspectroscopy,â even though the action might involve studying a piece of matter in broad daylight.
While we will not attempt to develop a more detailed definition of spectroscopy in the remainder of this book, we will be examining various aspects of spectroscopy that make it a scientific tool. In order to set the stage better for the various topics that will be presented, we present a quick history of the development of topics relevant to spectroscopy. There are three major topics: matter, light, and the fusion of matter and light that was ultimately (and properly) labeled spectroscopy.
Online access to SPIE eBooks is limited to subscribing institutions.