NOMENCLATURE, SYMBOLS, UNITS AND THEIR USAGE IN SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS .9. INSTRUMENTATION FOR THE SPECTRAL DISPERSION AND ISOLATION OF OPTICAL RADIATION (IUPAC RECOMMENDATIONS 1995)

This document deals with nomenclature, symbols and their usage in the field of instrumentation for the dispersion and isolation of optical spectra in the wavelength region from 50 nm to 1 mm, as applied in analytical atomic and molecular emission, absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The whole subject is divided into 10 chapters dealing with various aspects of dispersive and non-dispersive spectral apparatus including spectral filters and interferometers. Definitions are given for spectral instruments with and without detection and measuring facilities. The properties of optical components of dispersive and non-dispersive spectral instruments are defined in detail with emphasis on such fundamental figures of merit as spectral purity, resolution, resolving power, conductance of optical systems, characteristic wavelengths and polarization. Terms closely related to the optimum use of spectral instruments, e.g., optimal slit width and height, theoretical and practical effective spectral linewidth, line-to-background radiant power ratio are given. Terms for various forms of mountings for spectral apparatus are included in the vocabulary.