Spectrometers will naturally drift over time as a result of environmental effects and influences. This is a common issue that can be addressed, and reliable and accurate spectroscopic results can be ensured by performing routine wavelength calibration.
Performing Wavelength Calibration
It is possible to perform a wavelength calibration on a spectrometer by scanning through grating angles and measuring a spectrum with known wavelengths. By comparing the measured wavelength and the known wavelength, the drift can be determined.
The peak method is the standard means of wavelength calibration. This method is used to calibrate push-broom imaging spectrometers by recording the digital number values and the Gaussian fitting of the wavelengths. It is then possible to find the pixel center wavelength by calculating the highest response.
A number of factors may impact these measurements. The wavelength calibration process must, therefore, correct the energy at the corresponding position as part of any subsequent calibration data processing. The correction method is typically used to re-measure the position of the energy change as part of this process.
Importance of Wavelength Calibration Standards
Wavelength calibration standards are a central factor in maintaining accuracy in general spectroscopy. Analytical standards need to have exceptionally high levels of purity and low reactivity to avoid any unplanned reactions with substances in solutions.
Analytical substances must have a minimal chance of absorbing moisture from the air. This is vitally important, as the masses need to stay uniform. Testing is typically performed multiple times per sample, so analytical standards should be as cost-effective as possible.
Wavelength calibration standards provide stable absorption spectra ideal for validating spectrometers’ wavelength calibration. Each standard is specially formulated with a rare earth oxide, ensuring this displays sharp absorption peaks at the designated wavelengths.
Wavelength Calibration Standards from Inorganic Ventures
Inorganic Ventures provides a comprehensive portfolio of pre-made and fully customizable wavelength calibration standards. The company’s ready-to-use wavelength calibration standards require minimal training and result in less waste while improving calibration accuracy and streamlining industrial processes.
Its customizable wavelength calibration standards are highly flexible. These can be tailored specifically to meet customer needs and process specifications.
Wavelength calibration is key to ensuring accuracy in spectroscopy. Inorganic Ventures’ substantial and wide-ranging expertise in wet chemistry and analysis allows the company to provide a wide range of certified reference materials and calibration standards.
Inorganic Ventures employs only the highest purity starting materials to stringently adhere to quality assurance guidelines. Its wavelength calibration standards are fully NIST-traceable and have been created to exact specifications.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Inorganic Ventures, Inc.
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