What Is Stray Light and How Does It Work?

The term “stray light” in a spectrometer refers to the presence of non-target wavelengths of light during spectral measurements, in addition to the intended spectral signal. These stray light sources can originate from various factors and have a significant impact on the measurement precision and imaging quality of the spectrometer.

1. Definition and Sources of Stray Light

stray light in spectrometers generally refers to those non-target wavelengths of light that can enter the spectrometer system and interfere with measurements for a variety of reasons. There are various sources of stray light, mainly including the following aspects:

● Contamination and damage of optical elements:Such as dust stains optical components (grating, prism, lens, mirror, filter, etc.), optical components are damaged or produce other defects (such as bubbles, scratches, etc.).

● Internal system reflection:The reflection within the collimation system or the edge of the separator, and the optical system or detector is not properly shielded, resulting in “room light” directly into the optical system.

 Thermal radiation and fluorescence:Secondary emission caused by thermal radiation or fluorescence may also produce stray light.

● The slit does not match the aperture:Defects in the slit or mismatched beam apertures may also lead to the generation of stray light.

 The inner wall of the spectrometer was mishandled:Improper blackening treatment of the inner wall of the mechanical shell of the spectrometer is also an important source of stray light

 

2. The effects of stray light

The presence of stray light will offset Beer’s law and directly affect the measurement accuracy of the spectrometer. Especially in the analysis of high concentration samples, the influence of stray light is more significant. In addition, stray light can also reduce the imaging quality of the spectrometer, making the measurement results biased.

 

3. Control and Elimination of Stray light

In order to control and eliminate stray light in the spectrometer, the following measures can be taken:

● Keep optical components clean:Clean the optical elements in the spectrometer regularly to prevent dust and other contaminants from staining the surface.

● Optimized optical system design:Rationally design the optical system to minimize internal reflections and scattering. For instance, employing high-quality mirrors and lenses can ensure the precision of the optical path.

● Adopt shielding measures:Shielding devices are installed at key parts of the spectrometer to prevent external light from entering the system.

● Optimize the inner wall processing of the spectrometer:Apply blackening treatment to the interior walls of the monochromator to reduce the generation of reflected light.

● Utilize correction techniques:。Use software correction techniques to eliminate or reduce the impact of stray light on measurement results.

 

4. Conclusion

The stray light in the spectrometer is a problem that can not be ignored, it directly affects the measurement accuracy and imaging quality of the spectrometer. In order to control and eliminate stray light, it is necessary to start from many aspects, including keeping optical elements clean, optimizing optical system design, utilized shielding measures, optimizing monochromator inner wall treatment, and utilizing calibration technology. The implementation of these measures will help to improve the measurement accuracy and imaging quality of the spectrometer, and provide more reliable data support for scientific research and technical applications.

 

The term “stray light” in a spectrometer refers to the presence of non-target wavelengths of light during spectral measurements, in addition to the intended spectral signal. These stray light sources can originate from various factors and have a significant impact on the measurement precision and imaging quality of the spectrometer.

OneDefinition and Sources of Stray Light

stray light in spectrometers generally refers to those non-target wavelengths of light that can enter the spectrometer system and interfere with measurements for a variety of reasons. There are various sources of stray light, mainly including the following aspects:

1. Contamination and damage of optical elementsSuch as dust stains optical components (grating, prism, lens, mirror, filter, etc.), optical components are damaged or produce other defects (such as bubbles, scratches, etc.).

2.Internal system reflectionThe reflection within the collimation system or the edge of the separator, and the optical system or detector is not properly shielded, resulting in “room light” directly into the optical system.

3. Thermal radiation and fluorescenceSecondary emission caused by thermal radiation or fluorescence may also produce stray light.

4. The slit does not match the apertureDefects in the slit or mismatched beam apertures may also lead to the generation of stray light.

5. The inner wall of the spectrometer was mishandledImproper blackening treatment of the inner wall of the mechanical shell of the spectrometer is also an important source of stray light

TwoThe effects of stray light

The presence of stray light will offset Beer’s law and directly affect the measurement accuracy of the spectrometer. Especially in the analysis of high concentration samples, the influence of stray light is more significant. In addition, stray light can also reduce the imaging quality of the spectrometer, making the measurement results biased.

 

ThreeControl and Elimination of Stray light

In order to control and eliminate stray light in the spectrometer, the following measures can be taken:

1. Keep optical components cleanClean the optical elements in the spectrometer regularly to prevent dust and other contaminants from staining the surface.

2. Optimized optical system designRationally design the optical system to minimize internal reflections and scattering. For instance, employing high-quality mirrors and lenses can ensure the precision of the optical path.

3. Adopt shielding measuresShielding devices are installed at key parts of the spectrometer to prevent external light from entering the system.

4. Optimize the inner wall processing of the spectrometerApply blackening treatment to the interior walls of the monochromator to reduce the generation of reflected light.

5.Utilize correction techniques:。Use software correction techniques to eliminate or reduce the impact of stray light on measurement results.

 

FourConclusion

The stray light in the spectrometer is a problem that can not be ignored, it directly affects the measurement accuracy and imaging quality of the spectrometer. In order to control and eliminate stray light, it is necessary to start from many aspects, including keeping optical elements clean, optimizing optical system design, utilized shielding measures, optimizing monochromator inner wall treatment, and utilizing calibration technology. The implementation of these measures will help to improve the measurement accuracy and imaging quality of the spectrometer, and provide more reliable data support for scientific research and technical applications.

 


Post time: Aug-01-2024