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Spectroscopy:
A Rainbow of Energy
By Jenny
Bieksha, Bishop & Associates Inc.
In many ways,
spectrometry is a mature market; the principles involved have
been known for almost a century. Until recently, the practice of
spectrometry was largely limited to the lab. The equipment used
was delicate and bulky, meaning any substance to be sampled had
to be taken to the lab. This process could be both costly and
time-consuming. Advances in technology have meant that
spectrometers can now be housed in small, sturdy packages.
Samples can be analyzed in the lab, or the lab can be carried
into the field.
Spectrometers are instruments that detect energy invisible to
human eyes and record data about it. Our eyes are sophisticated
detectors that reveal much of the world around us but are
sensitive only to that very small part of the electromagnetic
spectrum that we call light. The part of the electromagnetic
spectrum that we can see directly with our eyes is “visible” or
“optical” light.
We rely on human-made devices to provide views of the
“invisible” world in the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum
we cannot see without the aid of technology, such as gamma rays,
X-rays, ultraviolet waves, infrared waves, microwaves, and radio
waves. The difference between the kinds of electromagnetic
energy is wavelength. Medical X-rays and airplane radar are
common examples of invisible light with wavelengths greater than
the eye can see—or less than the eye can see.
The global spectrometry industry is both concentrated and
fragmented because of the diversity of technologies within it.
Growth segments are driven
by
biotechnology applications, environmental research, and the
demand for portable/handheld instrumentation. Major
market segments include molecular spectroscopy, atomic
spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Interconnect opportunities
reach across the spectrum (pun intended), ranging from
small form factor connectors in portable instruments to standard
fiber optic connectors and probes to highly specialized
connectors used in space applications.
Molecular Spectroscopy
Molecular spectroscopy is the study of absorption of light by
molecules.
Molecules have quantum energy levels that can be analyzed by
detecting the molecule’s energy exchange through absorbance or
emission. Molecular spectroscopy represents the largest segment
in this market. Market sub-segments include Raman
spectrometers, infrared (IR) spectrometers, ultraviolet-visible
(UV-Vis) spectrophotometers, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
spectrometers.
Raman spectrometers
have grown at a faster rate than other sub-segments due to
demand from the portable and handheld instrument sector. Raman
spectroscopy is commonly used in chemistry to provide
information about a sample’s chemical composition and molecular
structure. Raman gas analyzers are used in medicine for
real-time monitoring of anesthetic and respiratory gas mixtures
during surgery. In solid-state physics, spontaneous Raman
spectroscopy is used to characterize materials. Spatially offset
Raman spectroscopy (SORS) is used to discover counterfeit drugs
without opening their internal packaging, and for non-invasive
monitoring of biological tissue. Raman spectroscopy offers a
non-invasive way to determine the best method of preservation
for historical documents. Raman spectroscopy is also being
investigated as a means to detect explosives for airport
security.
 The
infrared absorption spectrum of a substance is often called its
molecular fingerprint and can be measured by infrared (IR)
spectrometers. In other forms of spectroscopy, wavelength
absorption generates measurement data. In the infrared
wavelength, the vibration frequencies generated by the molecular
bonds under analysis are measured. IR instruments are typically
built with a source, detector, and a dispersive element, such as
a prism or diffraction grating, to improve sensitivity over a
wide range of wavelengths. The instruments are now small and can
be transported for use in field trials.
Applications for IR spectroscopy vary widely and can include
polymer analysis, forensic studies, environmental measurement,
chemistry, and semiconductor process control. Developments in
infrared (IR), near infrared (NIR), and Fourier-transform
infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are gradually expanding into new
applications. Research efforts are currently focused on
development of non-invasive near-IR techniques to probe the
hemodynamics of tissue samples in vivo. Ongoing efforts also
explore the use of these techniques for blood delivery to
injured tissues.
UV-Vis spectrophotometers
compare the
intensity of light before and when it passes through a sample,
and is effective for quantitative measurements. There are three
main components of a typical UV-Vis spectrometer. The light
source is either a diffraction grating or monochromator. The
detector can be either a CCD (used with diffraction gratings) or
a photodiode (used with a monochromator). The third component,
the radiation source, may be from a deuterium arc lamp, LED arc
lamp, or xenon arc lamp.
These instruments can be found in pharmaceutical, biotech,
polymer science, chemicals, forensics, environmental analysis,
food/beverage, and genomics laboratories. Applications include
analysis of chemicals, colors and dyes, proteins, and
multicomponent formulations.
Atomic
Spectroscopy
Atomic spectroscopy
is the technique of analyzing the energy emitted by atoms in
order to determine the energy levels of the atom’s electrons. In
most instances, the material under test is excited by flame,
light, or electricity.
The atomic
spectroscopy market is experiencing minimal growth, which is
partially attributed to the slow recovery in the metal industry.
Market activity is currently driven in large part by increasing
global interest in ecological safety and green technologies.
Market sub-segments include atomic absorption (AA)
spectrometers, XRF/XRD, plasma spectrometers (ICP, ICP-MS), and
ark/spark spectrometers.
 Atomic
absorption spectroscopy
is a technique used to determine the concentration of a specific
metal element in a sample. Energy absorbed by the sample is used
to assess its characteristics. Atomic absorption spectrometers
are one of the most commonly sold and used analytical devices.
Performing atomic absorption spectroscopy requires a primary
light source, an atom source, a monochromator to isolate the
specific wavelength of light to be measured, a detector to
measure the light accurately, electronics to process the data
signal, and a data display or reporting system to show the
results.
X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
involves excitation of inner electrons of atoms that may be seen
as x-ray absorption. XRF offers elemental analysis of a wide
variety of materials in a highly precise and non-destructive
way. XRF/XRD instruments use a CCD that is both energy sensitive
(providing XRF data) and position sensitive (providing XRD
data). This is useful when attempting to determine the mineral
or phase of a material.
The strengths of this method include easy sample preparation and
precision analysis of non-conducting materials down to the
subppm levels. They can analyze solids, powders, and liquids
nondestructively and quickly analyze hazardous elements.
Energy-dispersive instruments are now popular in the marketplace
because they are smaller, cheaper, and have fewer engineered
parts. The most important recent development has been the
release of portable, hand-held XRF spectrometers with CCD
detectors.
Mass Spectrometers (MS)
A mass spectrometer determines the elemental composition of a
sample or molecule using an ion source,
 mass
analyzer, and detector to provide qualitative and quantitative
analysis of unknown compounds, isotopic compositions of samples,
and to determine the structure of a compound. The market for
mass spectrometers is forecast to experience significant growth
driven by demand from academic and government laboratories,
replacement of outdated systems, and niche life science
applications. Market sub-segments include Tandem LC-MS, GC-MS,
TOF-LC-MS, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI).
Mass spectrometers have been used in laboratories since the
early 1900s for varying applications in pharmaceutical,
semiconductor, biotech, environmental monitoring, chemical
analysis, and forensics laboratories. The technology on these
laboratory instruments has evolved to meet demanding and varying
user requirements. Users can choose from ion sources (chemical
ionization, electrospray ionization, and MALDI), different mass
analyzers (time-of-flight, quadrupole, quadrupole ion trap,
linear quadrupole ion trap, orbitrap), and different detectors.
Researchers and practitioners from various disciplines within
chemistry, biochemistry, and physics regularly depend on mass
spectrometric analysis. Use of mass spectrometry instruments and
systems has led to solutions in diverse applications, such as
aiding in the discovery of cancer biomarkers and quantification
of contaminants in soil and water. Mass spectrometers are
frequently paired with gas chromatography (GC/MS) or liquid
chromatography (LC/MS), creating compound instruments. With
increasing demand for these instruments, new product development
is focused on higher performance, high reliability, smaller
footprints (lower power requirements, less bench space), and
lower prices.
A Broad Selection of Spectrometers to Serve a Variety of
Applications
Spectrometers can be smaller than a coin or they can fill very
large rooms. The various types and sizes
serve in vastly different applications and markets as both
qualitative and qu antitative
instruments.
Mini-spectrometers may be used for light source testing (LEDs),
fluorescence measurement, industrial color measurement, tooth
decay analysis, semiconductor inspection, chromatography, and
DNA analysis. These instruments may be found in manufacturing
applications demanding flexibility in measurement set-ups,
high-precision measurements, and high throughput. Examples
include process control, component analysis, optical
communication, component testing, and film thickness
measurement.
Most mini-spectrometers are fiber-based instruments with a wide
selection of models for measurements in 195 to 1,150nm
wavelength ranges. Features typically include a USB interface,
CCD, a high-speed digitizer, and a single strand fiber optic
cable (or probe assembly) that delivers input via a standard SMA
905 fiber optic connector.
 An
example of a large-scale application is Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer (AMS-02), the largest space-based particle physics
detector. The spectrometer is set to fly to the International
Space Station on the final space shuttle mission. The new
spectrometer weighs 7,000 kilograms and is over 4.5 meters wide
and equally tall. It will study the universe and its origins by
searching for dark matter and antimatter and measuring the
composition of cosmic rays with greater precision than any
previous device. When AMS-02 is in space, it can measure light
rays that would otherwise be absorbed in the atmosphere.
Other applications involving spectrometers include:
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Monitoring
dissolved oxygen in marine and freshwater ecosystems
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Gathering spectral
data on Mars
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Monitoring SO2
emissions from volcanoes
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Color and
grading analysis of diamonds and gems
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Air pollution
monitoring and control instrumentation
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Treatment of
generated waste in concentrated or dilute form
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Test and
calibration equipment
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Semiconductor
plasma processing tools
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Fiber optic
backscattering sensors for the food, pharmaceutical, and
chemical process industries
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Thin-film
metrology systems and material characterization tools
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Automated
lighting systems for entertainment industries
Spectroscopic instruments have become essential analytical tools
in multiple environments, performing tasks such as monitoring
processes, identifying compounds, and measuring energy from
celestial objects. This has resulted in an increased demand for
spectrometers, expanding the market into a multibillion-dollar
industry today.
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Director,
Renewable Energy, Medical, and Test, Measurement, and
Instrumentation, Bishop & Associates Inc.
Jenny Bieksha joined Bishop &
Associates in 2008 as its market segment director for the
renewable energy, and the test, measurement, and instrumentation
markets. She is currently a management consultant specializing
in strategic business planning, with an emphasis on the
development of program, market, and product plans. Bieksha has
more than 20 years of experience in the electronics industry,
with a background in market management, business development,
channel sales, product management, and operations for ITT
Corporation, Delphi Connection Systems, and Hughes Aircraft
Company.
Bieksha has a bachelor of science degree in marketing from the
University of Wyoming, and has since received her certificate as
a project management professional.
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