Spectroscopy is the use of the absorption, emission, or scattering of electromagnetic radiation by matter to qualitatively or quantitatively study the matter or to study physical processes.
The matter can be atoms, molecules, atomic or molecular ions, or solids. The interaction of radiation with matter can cause redirection of the radiation and/or transitions between the energy levels of the atoms or molecules.
- Absorption: A transition from a lower level to a higher level with transfer of energy from the radiation field to an absorber, atom, molecule, or solid.
- Emission: A transition from a higher level to a lower level with transfer of energy from the emitter to the radiation field. if no radiation is emitted, the transition from higher to lower energy levels is called nonradiative decay.
- Scattering: Redirection of light due to its interaction with matter. Scattering might or might not occur with a transfer of energy, i.e., the scattered radiation might or might not have a slightly different wavelength compared to the light incident on the sample.
- Electromagnetic Radiation
- Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Interaction of Light with Matter
- Spectroscopy Index - information on specific spectroscopic techniques.
