1

Optical Electronic Spectroscopy 1

Lecture Date: January 23
rd
, 2008
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- UV-Visible
- X-ray
2
What is Electronic Spectroscopy?
- Spectroscopy of the electrons surrounding an atom or a
molecule: electron energy-level transitions
Atoms: electrons are in
hydrogen-like orbitals
(s, p, d, f)
Molecules: electrons are in
molecular orbitals (HOMO,
LUMO, )
(The LUMO of benzene) (The Bohr model for nitrogen)
From
http://education.jlab.org
Optical Electronic Spectroscopy
- Definition: Spectroscopy in the optical (UV-Visible) range
involving electronic energy levels excited by
electromagnetic radiation (often valence electrons).
- This lecture is related to the high-energy (non-optical)
electron spectroscopy covered in the X-ray lecture
- Methods:
Atomic absorption
Atomic emission (e.g ICP-OES)
Molecular UV-Visible absorption
Luminescence, Fluorescence, Phosphorescence
3
Definitions of Electronic Processes
- Emission: radiation produced by excited molecules, ions,
or atoms as they relax to lower energy levels.
- Absorption: radiation selectively absorbed by molecules,
ions, or atoms, accompanied by their excitation (or
promotion) to a more energetic state.
- Luminescence: radiation produced by a chemical
reaction or internal electronic process, possibly following
absorption.
More Electronic Processes
- Fluorescence: absorption of radiation to an excited state,
followed by emission of radiation to a lower state of the
same multiplicity
Occurs about 10
-5
to 10
-8
seconds after photon absorption
- Phosphorescence: absorption of radiation to an excited
state, followed by emission of radiation to a lower state of
differentmultiplicity
Occurs about 10 to 10
-5
seconds after photon absorption
4
What is Emission?
- Atoms/molecules are driven to excited states (in this case
electronic states), which can relax by emission of
radiation.
M + heat M*
- Other process can be active, such as non-radiative
relaxation (e.g. transfer of energy by random collisions).
M* M + heat
AE =hv
Higher energy
Lower energy
- OES =Optical Emission Spectroscopy
What is Absorption?
- Electromagnetic radiation travels fastest in a vacuum.
When EM radiation travels through a substance, it can be slowed
by propagation interactions that do not cause frequency
(energy) changes:
- Absorption does involve frequency/energy changes, since
the energy of EM radiation is transferred to a substance,
usually at specific frequencies corresponding to natural
atomic or molecular energies
Absorption occurring at optical frequencies involves low to mid-
energy electronic transitions.
i
i
c
n

=
c = the speed of light (~3.00 x 10
8
m/s)

i
= the velocity of the radiation in the medium in m/s
n
i
= the refractive index at the frequency i
5
Absorption and Transmission
- Transmittance:
T =P/P
0
b
P
0
P
- Absorbance:
A =-log
10
T =log
10
P
0
/P
A is linear vs. b!
(A preferred over T)
Graphs fromhttp://teaching.shu.ac.uk/hwb/chemistry/tutorials/molspec/beers1.htm
The Beer-Lambert Law
- The Beer-Lambert Law (a.k.a. Beers Law):
A =ebc
Where the absorbance Ahas no units, since A =log
10
P
0
/ P
e is the molar absorbtivity with units of L mol
-1
cm
-1
bis the path length of the sample in cm
c is the concentration of the compound in solution, expressed in mol L
-1
(or M,
molarity)
- Beers law can be derived from a model that considers
infinitesimal portions of a block absorbing photons in
their cross-sections, and integration over the entire block
Beers law is derived under the assumption that the fraction of the
light absorbed by each thin cross-section of solution is the same
See pp. 302-303 of Skoog, et al. for details
6
Deviations From the Beer-Lambert Law
- Deviations from Beers law (i.e. deviations from the
linearity of absorbance vs. concentration):
Intermolecular interactions at higher concentrations
Chemical reactions (species having different spectra)
Peak width/polychromatic radiation
- Beers law is only strictly valid with single-frequency radiation
- Not significant if the bandwidth of the monochromator is less
than 1/10 of the half-width of the absorption peak at half-
height.
For analternativeview, see: Bare, WilliamD. A MorePedagogically SoundTreatment of Beer'sLaw:
A DerivationBasedonaCorpuscular-ProbabilityModel, J. Chem. Educ. 2000, 77, 929.
Deviations from the Beer-Lambert Law
- Intermolecular interactions at higher concentrations:
FigurefromChapter 5 of Cazes, Analytical InstrumentationHandbook 3
rd
Ed. Marcel-Dekker 2005.
Dimers,
oligomers
7
Deviations from the Beer-Lambert Law
- Deviations caused by use of polychromatic light on a
spectrum in which e changes a lot over the bandwidth of
the light.
- Consider two wavelengths a and b with c
a
and c
b
c =1500, 500
0. 2 0. 4 0. 6 0. 8 1
0. 2
0. 4
0. 6
0. 8
1
c =1750, 250
Concentration (M)
A
b
s
o
r
b
a
n
c
e

(
A
)
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
=

+
bc b bc a
b a
b a b a
P P
P P
A

10 10
log
0 0
0 0
c =1000, 1000
Basic Instrument Layout for
Optical Spectroscopy
- Absorption:
Radiation
Source
Sample
Wavelength
Selector
Detector
(photoelectric transducer)
- Fluorescence, Phosphorescence and Scattering:
Sample
Wavelength
Selector
Detector
(photoelectric transducer)
Radiation
source
- Emission and chemi-luminescence
Sample
(source)
Wavelength
Selector
Detector
(photoelectric transducer)
(90 angle)
8
Atomization: The Dividing Line for Atomic/Mol ecular
- Samples used in optical
atomic (elemental)
spectroscopy are usually
atomized
- This destroys molecules (if
present) and leaves the
atoms
- The UV-visible spectrum of
the atoms is of interest, not
the molecular spectrum.
Elemental Anal ysis
- Elemental analysis qualitative or quantitative
determination of the elemental composition of a sample
- Optical electronic methods are heavily used in elemental
analysis
- Other elemental analysis methods not discussed here:
Mass spectrometry (MS), e.g. ICP-MS
X-ray methods
Other methods (radiochemical)
Classical
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Atomic Electronic Energy Levels
- Electronic energy level
transitions in hydrogen
the simplest of all!
- Balmer series (visible)
Transitions start
(absorption) or end
(emission) with the first
excited state of
hydrogen
- Lyman series (UV)
Transitions start
(absorption) or end
(emission) with the
ground state of
hydrogen
Diagramsfromhttp://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/light/absorption.html
Atomic Electronic Energy Levels
- Used to denote
energy levels, and
label term (Grotrian)
diagrams for the
hydrogen atom
FigurefromtheSapphire ElectronicSpectroscopySoftwarePackage, Cavendish InstrumentsLimited.
- Term symbols and electronic
states: used to precisely define
the state of electrons
2
P
3/2
s,p,d,f,g
(l value)
2
P
3/2
-1/2
j
m
j
s
l
1 2 +
spin
multiplicity
2j+1
s = total spin quantum number
j = total angular momentum quantum number
l = orbital quantum number (s,p,d,f)
m
j
=state
2
P Term:
Level:
State:
10
Atomic Electronic Energy Levels
- Term symbol (Grotrian)
diagram for the sodium atom
- Each transition on the
diagram can be linked to a
peak in the spectrum
- The number of lines can
approach 5000 for transition-
metal elements.
- Line broadeningcan be
caused by:
Doppler effects
pressure broadening
(collisions)
Lifetime of state (uncertainty)
FigurefromH. A. Strobel and W. R Heineman, Chemical
Instrumentation: A Systematic Approach, Wiley, 1989.
Atomic Electronic Energy Levels
- The population of energy levels partly determines the
intensity of an emission peak
- The Boltzmann distribution relates the energy difference
between the levels, temperature, and population:
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
kT
E E
P
P

N
N
ground excited
ground
excited
ground
excited
exp
E = energy of state
P = number of states having equal energy at each level
N = number of atoms in state
- Key point: to get more atoms into excited states, you need
higher temperatures. (See example 8-2, problem 8-9)
Element/Line (nm) N
e
/N
g
at 2000 K N
e
/N
g
at 3000 K N
e
/N
g
at 10000
K
Na 589.0 9.9 x 10
-6
5.9 x 10
-4
2.6 x 10
-1
Ca 422.7 1.2 x 10
-7
3.7 x 10
-5
1.0 x 10
-2
Zn 213.8 7.3 x 10
-15
5.4 x 10
-10
3.6 x 10
-3
(ValuesfromCazespg79, Table1)
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Atomic Electronic Energy Levels
0 5000 10000 15000 20000
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
Wavelength / nm
I
n
t
e
n
s
i
t
y

/

A
r
b
i
t
r
a
r
y

U
n
i
t
s
The simulated spectrum for the sodium atom
Atomic Emission
- Two types of emission spectra:
Continuum
Line spectra
- Examples:
ICP-OES (inductively-coupled
plasma optical emission
spectroscopy), also known as ICP-
AES
LIBS (laser-induced breakdown
spectroscopy)
12
Torches and Atomic Emission
- History: Emission came first (study of sunlight by Fraunhofer in
1817, identification of spectral lines), studied throughout the
1800s and early 1900s
Atomizer/
Emission Source
Temperature
(C)
Flame 1700-3150
Plasma (e.g.
ICP)
4000-8000
Electric arc 4000-5000
Electric spark >10000
- Before the use of the plasma for
OES in 1964, the flame/gas torch (or
arc/spark, etc) had the following
problems:
Temperature instability
Not hot enough to excite/decompose
all materials
- Today: The plasma has become the almost universally-
preferred method
- History: atomic emission placed demands on monochromators
- Today: Technology has led to polychromators/detectors with
sufficient resolution
Plasma Torches
- Plasma: a low-density gas
containing ions and electrons,
controlled by EM forces
13
Plasma Torches
- In the inductively-coupled
plasma (ICP) torch, the
sample will reside for
several milliseconds at
4000-8000K.
- Other torches direct
current plasma
- Microwave induced plasma
Photo bySteve Kvech, http://www.cee.vt.edu/program_areas/environmental/teach/smprimer/icpms/icpms.htm#Argon%20Plasma/Sample%20Ionization
- An argon ICP torch in action:
More on Plasma Torches
DiagramfromLagalante, Appl. Spect. Reviews. 34, 191 (1999)
- Another view of an argon ICP torch:
14
Arc and Spark Sources for Atomic Emission
- Arc and spark sources used for qualitative analysis of
organic and geological samples
Only semi-quantitative because of source instability
Spark sources achieve higher energies
- Several mg of solidsample is packed between
electrodes, 1-30 A of current is passed achieving
several hundred volts potential.
- Applications include metals analysis or cases where
solids must be analyzed.
Atomic Emission: Mono- and Polychromators
- Diffraction gratings are used
to select wavelengths (in
combination with collimating
lens, and slits)
- Echelle (ladder) gratings:
high dispersion and high
resolution
~1000-1500 grooves/mm
typical for UV-Vis work
Require filters to isolate
orders (i.e. n=1)
m =d(sin i +sin r)
15
Atomic Emission: Detectors
- At the end of the spectrometer, photons are detected.
- Commonly used detectors:
Photomultiplier tubes (PMT) dynamic range 10
9
Solid-state detectors:
- Charge-coupled devices (CCD) 1D or 2D arrays
(charge readout or transfer devices)
- Silicon photodiodes with thousands of individual
elements
- Very sensitive, very well-suited to echelle grating
polychromators, very fast
Modern ICP-OES Spectrometers
- Example system:
Varian Vista PRO
- Features:
1. Axial flame view
2. Echelle grating
polychromator
3. CCD detector
- CCD chips are
often made of sub-
arrays matched to
emission lines.
FigurefromVarianVistaPRO salesliterature.
16
Detection Limits of ICP-OES
- Typical detection limits
(Varian Vista MPX):
- Considerations include
the number of emission
lines, spectral overlap
- Linearity can span
several orders of
magnitude.
- See also Figure 10-13 in
Skoog, et al.
El ement Wavelength (nm)
Detecti on Limi t
axi al (ug/L)
Detecti on l i mi t
radial (ug/L)
Ag 328.068 0.5 1
Al 396.152 0.9 4
As 188.98 3 12
As 193.696 4 11
Ba 233.527 0.1 0.7
Ba 455.403 0.03 0.15
Ba 455.403 0.03 0.15
Be 313.107 0.05 0.15
Ca 396.847 0.01 0.3
Ca 317.933 0.8 6.5
Cd 214.439 0.2 0.5
Co 238.892 0.4 1.2
Cr 267.716 0.5 1
Cu 327.395 0.9 1.5
Fe 238.204 0.3 0.9
K 766.491 0.3 4
Li 670.783 0.06 1
Mg 279.55 0.05 0.1
Mg 279.8 1.5 10
Mn 257.61 0.1 0.133
Mo 202.03 0.5 2
Na 589.59 0.2 1.5
Ni 231.6 0.7 2.1
P 177.43 4 25
Pb 220.35 1.5 8
Rb 780.03 1 5
S 181.972 4 13
Sb 206.83 3 16
Se 196.03 4 16
Sr 407.77 0.02 0.1
Sn 189.93 2 8
Ti 336.12 0.5 1
Tl 190.79 2 13
V 292.4 0.7 2
Zn 213.86 0.2 0.8
Atomic Absorption Early History
- In the beginning atomic emission was the only way to
do elemental analysis via optical spectroscopy
- Bunsen and Kirchhoff (1861) invented a non-luminous
flame to study emission. Showed that alkali elements in
the flame removed lines from a continuous source.
- Walsh (1955) notices that molecular spectra are often
obtained in absorption (e.g. UV-Vis and IR), but atomic
spectra are always obtained in emission. Proposes to
use atomic absorption (AA or AAS) for elemental analysis
Advantages over emission far less interference, avoids
problems with flame temperature
17
Atomic Absorpti on (AA) and Elemental Anal ysi s
- Atomic absorption spectrometry
is one of the most widely used
methods for elemental analysis.
- Basic principles of AA:
The sample is atomizedvia:
- A flame (methane/H
2
/acetylene
and air/oxygen)
- An electrothermal atomizer (an
electrically-heated graphite tube
or cup)
UV-Visible light is projected
through the flame
The atoms absorb light (electronic
excitation), reducing the beam
The difference in intensity is
measured by the spectrometer
Source
Detector
Sample/Flame
Monochromator
P
0
P
Images are of Aurora AI1200, http://www.spectronic.co.uk
Atomic Absorpti on: Sources
- Hollow cathode lamps sputtering of an element of
interest, generating a line emission spectrum:
- Typical linewidths of 0.002 nm (0.02)
- Other AA Sources: electrode-less discharge lamp (EDL)
see Skoog Ch 9B-1
18
Atomic Absorpti on: Monochromators
- The monochromator filters out undesired light in AA
(typical bandwidths are 1 angstrom/0.1 nm)
- Unlike ICP-OES, where the mono- or polychromator
actually analyzes the frequency.
In other words there is no need to scan the grating, just set
(aimed through a slit) and run
- Echelle (ladder) gratings are popular:
Figure from T. Wang, in J. Cazes, ed, Ewings Analytical Instrumentation Handbook
Other Features of Atomic Absorpti on Systems
- Sample nebulizers: Produces aerosols of samples to
introduce into the flame (oxyacetylene is the hottest)
- Detectors: Common examples are photomultiplier tubes,
CCD (charge-coupled devices), and many more.
- Monochromator: removes emissions from the flame
(flame is often kept cool just to avoid emission)
- Modulated source (chopper): also removes the remaining
emissions from the flame. The signal of interest is given
an AC modulation and passed through a high-pass filter.
- Spectral interferences:
Absorption from other things (besides the element of interest)
other flame components, particulates, etc Scattering can
cause similar problems
Background correction can help
19
Detection Limits of Atomic Absorpti on Systems
How Are Elements Actuall y Anal yzed?
- For AA and ICP-OES, samples are dissolved or digested
into solution.
- Samples are flowed into the flame/plasma and analyzed.
- Two methods for quantitative analysis:
Standard calibration: the unknown samples
absorbance/emission is compared with several references which
bracket the expected concentration. (Linear relationship)
Standard addition: the unknown sample is divided into several
portions. One portion is directly analyzed, the others have the
reference material added in varying amounts. The linear
relationship is determined, and the intercept is used to calculate
the real concentration of the unknown
- At the end: the results yield elements in ppm, ppb,
mg/mL, etc
20
Atomic Fluorescence
- Developed as an alternative to AA and ICP-OES, with
potentially greater sensitivity.
Has not yet achieved widespread use but cheaper tunable lasers
may change this.
- Laser stimulated emission (coherent emission from an
excited state induced by a second photon)
- Processes:
Resonance Direct Line
hv
hv
Non-radiative
Stepwise Thermally-assisted
Non-radiative
hv
Thermal
hv
Atomic Fluorescence
- Instrumentation
Sample
Wavelength
Selector
Detector
(photoelectric transducer)
Radiation
source
(90 angle)
- Sources include hollow-
cathode lamps,
electrodeless discharge
tubes (brighter), and lasers
(brightest)
PicturefromPerkin-Elmer
21
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
- J ust like ICP-OES, except a focussed laser creates the
plasma:
Figure fromUSArmy/Ames
Fiber optic
Elemental Anal ysis with Optical Spectroscopy
- A comparison of the techniques the choice is not always clear!
Plasma Emission
(ICP-OES)
AA (Flame) Atomic
Fluorescence
Dynamic Range Wide Limited Wide
Qualitative Analysis Good Poor Poor
Multielement Scan? Good Poor Poor
Trace Analysis Good Good Good
Small samples Good Good Good
Matrix interferences Low High Low
Spectral
interferences
High Low Low
Cost Moderate Low Moderate
- Speciated analysis: The analysis of atomic species, elements in
chemically distinguishable environments.
- Examples of hyphenation to add speciation:
ICP-OES coupled to a HPLC
AA coupled to a GC
22
Homework Problems
Optical Electronic Spectroscopy
Chapter 8:
Problem 8-9
Chapter 10:
Problem 10-2
Further Reading
Review Skoog et al. Chapters 6-10
Review Cazes Chapters 3-4
Optical Electronic Spectroscopy
H. A. Strobel and W. R. Heineman, Chemical
Instrumentation: A Systematic Approach, 3
rd
Ed.,
Wiley (1989).