spectrometer
Meaning: An instrument used to measure the properties of light or other radiation across a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, typically employed in chemical analysis and physics research.
Spectrometers are fundamental to analytical chemistry, astrophysics, and materials science, where they identify substances by the characteristic wavelengths of light they absorb or emit. The term encompasses a wide family of instruments — mass spectrometers, infrared spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers — each tailored to different analytical tasks. In broadsheet journalism, the word surfaces in science reporting and occasionally in metaphorical use to suggest precise, analytical scrutiny.
Examples
- The research team used a mass spectrometer to identify trace contaminants in the water supply. 研究团队使用质谱仪来识别供水中的微量污染物。El equipo de investigación utilizó un espectrómetro de masas para identificar contaminantes traza en el suministro de agua.研究チームは質量分析計を使用して水道水中の微量汚染物質を特定した。연구팀은 질량 분석기를 사용하여 수돗물 속 미량 오염 물질을 확인했다.
- Advances in spectrometer design have made it possible to analyse samples in a fraction of the time previously required. 分光计设计的进步使得分析样品所需的时间大大缩短。Los avances en el diseño de espectrómetros han permitido analizar muestras en una fracción del tiempo anteriormente necesario.分光計の設計の進歩により、以前必要だった時間のごく一部で試料を分析することが可能になった。분광기 설계의 발전으로 이전에 필요했던 시간의 극히 일부만으로 시료를 분석할 수 있게 되었다.
- The laboratory's new infrared spectrometer can detect chemical compounds at concentrations as low as parts per billion. 该实验室新配备的红外分光计能够检测浓度低至十亿分之一的化合物。El nuevo espectrómetro infrarrojo del laboratorio puede detectar compuestos químicos en concentraciones de hasta partes por mil millones.研究室の新しい赤外分光計は、十億分の一という低濃度の化合物を検出できる。연구실의 새로운 적외선 분광기는 십억분의 일이라는 극미량 농도의 화합물도 검출할 수 있다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, scientific
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin spectrum (appearance, image) + Greek metron (measure). Coined in the early 19th century as optical instruments for analysing light became central to scientific enquiry.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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