Monochromator

A monochromator is an optical device that is used to isolate a narrow spectral range from a wide spectrum of optical radiation. The word "monochromator" comes from the Greek words "mono", meaning "one", and "chroma", meaning "color".

A monochromator consists of an entrance slit, a collimator, a diffraction grating or prism for light dispersion, and an exit slit. The light entering the monochromator passes through the entrance slit and is collimated, that is, turns into a parallel beam. This beam then hits a diffraction grating or prism, which splits it into individual spectral components. By rotating the grating, you can select the desired wavelength that will be directed into the exit slit.

Thus, the monochromator allows one to isolate narrow spectral intervals from broadband radiation. It is widely used in spectral analysis, spectroscopy, laser technology and other fields where it is necessary to work with monochromatic light of a strictly defined wavelength.