The NIST IR-vis-UV Fourier transform spectrometer

In 1994, NIST acquired a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer from the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The instrument has an unapodized spectral resolution of 0.0025 cm^-1, and currently covers the range 200 nm to 5.5 µm. Since acquiring the instrument, NIST has installed the instrument in a new vacuum tank and completely replaced the data acquisition system and motion control electronics.

Our research program centers on the observation of spectra of complex atoms and ions, in particular the rare earth and transition-group elements. The high resolution of a Fourier transform spectrometer is needed both to identify spectral lines correctly and to measure accurate intensities, giving branching ratios and transition probabilities. Such data are needed both for the lighting industry in the modeling of new high-intensity lighting, and in astrophysics for the analysis of stellar and interstellar spectra.

The following links describe our Fourier transform spectrometer and outline some of the things we will be using it for.

• What is a Fourier transform spectrometer?
• Optical Path
• Research program

For more information on the NIST IR-vis-UV Fourier transform spectrometer, or for comments about this Web page, please send an email to Gillian.Nave@nist.gov.

Atomic Spectroscopy Group   |   Atomic Physics Division   |   Division Technical Highlights

Online: July 2002