Spectral resolution




The spectral resolution of a spectrograph, or, more generally, of a frequency spectrum, is a measure of its ability to resolve features in the electromagnetic spectrum. It is usually denoted by Δλ{displaystyle Delta lambda }Delta lambda , and is closely related to the resolving power of the spectrograph, defined as


R=λΔλ{displaystyle R={lambda over Delta lambda }}R={lambda  over Delta lambda },


where Δλ{displaystyle Delta lambda }Delta lambda is the smallest difference in wavelengths that can be distinguished at a wavelength of λ{displaystyle lambda }lambda . For example, the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) can distinguish features 0.17 nm apart at a wavelength of 1000 nm, giving it a resolution of 0.17 nm and a resolving power of about 5,900. An example of a high resolution spectrograph is the Cryogenic High-Resolution IR Echelle Spectrograph (CRIRES) installed at ESO's Very Large Telescope, which has a spectral resolving power of up to 100,000.[1]




Contents






  • 1 Doppler effect


  • 2 IUPAC definition


  • 3 See also


  • 4 References


  • 5 Further reading





Doppler effect


The spectral resolution can also be expressed in terms of physical quantities, such as velocity; then it describes the difference between velocities Δv{displaystyle Delta v}Delta v that can be distinguished through the Doppler effect. Then, the resolution is Δv{displaystyle Delta v}Delta v and the resolving power is


R=cΔv{displaystyle R={c over Delta v}}R={c over Delta v}


where c{displaystyle c}c is the speed of light. The STIS example above then has a spectral resolution of 51 km/s.



IUPAC definition


IUPAC defines resolution in optical spectroscopy as the minimum wavenumber, wavelength or frequency difference between two lines in a spectrum that can be distinguished.[2] Resolving power, R, is given by the transition wavenumber, wavelength or frequency, divided by the resolution.[3]



See also



  • Angular resolution

  • Resolution (mass spectrometry)



References





  1. ^ - CRIRES Instrument page at ESO


  2. ^ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version:  (2006–) "resolution in optical spectroscopy".


  3. ^ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version:  (2006–) "resolving power, R, in optical spectroscopy".




Further reading



  • Kim Quijano, J., et al. (2003), STIS Instrument Handbook, Version 7.0, (Baltimore: STScI)

  • Frank L. Pedrotti, S.J. (2007), Introduction to optics, 3rd version, (San Francisco)




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