Introduction

Spectroscopy is a technique utilizing the interaction of light with matter. In many cases, this interaction causes the substance to become ionized, creating an emission or absorption of light at various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, called a spectrum. e instrument that splits light into its component wavelengths is called a spectrograph or spectrometer. e assortment of dierent wavelengths that is recorded by a spectrograph is called spectra. e discovery of unique spectra of dierent elements was a starting point in the development of quantum mechanics. It was by discovering the discrete energy levels of electrons and their subsequent release or absorption of photons that correlate to energy levels that allowed the formulation of modern physics. ese energy levels correspond to a “ngerprint” that is unique to that particular element. It is the comparison of known spectra or ngerprints that allows scientists to identify the chemical composition of a substance.