Basic spectrometry

Spectroscopy is a discipline that studies interaction of light with matter in general.

Spectroscopy is a very extensive discipline that includes variety of methods from the most basic to highly sophisticated. Some branches are focused on fundamental aspects, i.e. understanding how electromagnetic radiation (X-rays, light, radio waves) interacts with different materials and fields.   Other areas use spectroscopy as a sensitive tool (a probe or a marker) in studies on other phenomena and materials that are coupled to changes in their spectral properties.  In yet other areas spectroscopy has been simplified to the most utilitarian, yet highly effective, level such as in non-invasive monitoring oxygen levels in patients.

In this group we use several spectroscopic methods as tools to gain insight into mechanisms of action of various biological systems.  We are also developing new approaches toward studying such systems, particularly in the area if UV absorption by transient radical species.

This section is intended to give some very basic sense of electronic absorption phenomenon and to give minimal skills in using spectroscopy as an analytic tool. As elsewhere on this site, it is not intended as a substitute for in-depth studies, but rather a practical quick-start guide.