DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH

Name : J Srinivasa Rao

Designation : Lecturer
Branch : D.A.E.I.E
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic, Kothagudem
Year/Semester : VI Sem
Subject : Analytical Instrumentation
Subject Code : AEI-603
Topic : Introduction to Analytical
Instrumentation and
spectrophotometers
Duration : 50 Min
Sub Topic : Visible Spectrophotometer
Teaching Aids : PPT,Pictures

AEI-603.9 1
 Objectives

On completion of the period you will be able to know about

• Principle
• Construction
• Working and
• Applications of Visible Spectrophotometer

AEI-603.9 2
 Recap

In the previous topic we had learnt about the

• Principle
• Construction
• Operations of UV Spectrometer

AEI-603.9 3
 Principle

The principle of visible spectrophotometer is based on

Beer-Lambert’s law which states that the radiation
absorbed by a sample is an exponential function of the
concentration.

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 Components

The visible spectrophotometer consists of the following

components
• Radiation source
• Optical filters and monochromators
• Optical components
• Detector

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Back men D.V model of single visible
spectro photometer

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AEI-603.9 7
Spectranic -21 model

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 Radiation source

• The function of a radiation source is to provide sufficient

intensity of light for making a measurement.

• For a visible spectrophotometer tungsten lamp is used

as a radiation source which has a wavelength of 400μm
to 700μm.

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 Optical filters and monochromaeter

• Optical filter Optical filter is used to isolate radiation of

only one wavelength. For this purpose interference filter
is used.
• Monochromator is used to provide better isolation of
spectral energy. The monochromators used for visible
spectrophotometers are quartz prism or a diffraction
grating.

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 Optical components

• The other optical components used for the

construction of a visible spectrometer are
entrance and exit slits and a cuvette.

Fig: Cuvette

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 Optical components

• Entrance and exit slits are used to provide a

narrow band of spectrum.
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 Detector

• The radiation coming from a monochromator or a filter is

made to fall on a photo cell, where the light energy is
converted into electrical energy. This electrical current is
measured by a galvanometer after amplification.

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 Working of visible spectro photometer

• The light from the tungsten source is focused on the

condensing mirror (m).
• This light falls on the collimator mirror through the slit
(D).
• Light falling on the collimator mirror is rendered parallel
and reflected to the prism (F), where it undergoes
refraction.

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• The back surface of the prism is coated with aluminum

• The light reflected back through the prism, undergoing

further refraction as it emerges.

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• This is called Littrow mounting and employs only one
piece of quartz with the back surface of the prism
metallised.
• Since the light passes back and forth through the same
prism and lens, polarization effects are eliminated.
• Littrow mounting results in a compact instrument.

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• The desired wavelength of light is selected by rotating
the prism mount.

• As the table on which the prism is mounted slowly

rotated by the wavelength drum, the prism provides a
series of images of entrance slit and exit slit.

• To achieve perfect correspondence of slit widths, the

upper and lower parts of the same slits are generally
used as entrance and exit slits.

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• The spectrum from the prism is directed back to the
collimating mirror.

• The light passes through the sample and finally reaches

the photo detector (D).

• The resulting current passing through the load resistor

develops the voltage, which is amplified by a DC
amplifier.

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 Applications of visible spectrum

• To measure the unknown concentration of color

solutions

• To detect the inorganic compounds

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 Summary
• Principle: Beer-Lamberts law

• Radiation source: Tungsten lamp (400μm to 700μm)

• Optical filter and monochromator: Interference filter is

used. Quartz prism or a diffraction grating is used as a
monochromator.
• Detector: Photo Cell

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 Quiz

1. The principle of visible spectrometer is based on the

principle of
b. Refraction
c. Polarisation
d. Beer-Lambert law
e. None of the above

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 Quiz

2. The light source used in a visible spectrometer

b. Tungsten lamp
c. Hydrogen Lamp
d. Sodium Lamp
e. All of the above

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 Quiz

1. The detector used for a spectrometer is

c. Photocell
d. Thermal conductivity detector
e. Bolometer
f. None of the above

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 Frequently asked Questions

1. Explain the principle construction and working

of a Visible spectrometer

3. List the applications of visible spectrometer

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