grating monochromator
Date: circa 1970
Inventory Number: 1999-1-0089
Classification: Monochromator
Maker: Bausch & Lomb Optical Company (1853-present)
User: J. Woodland Hastings (1927 - 2014)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
48.7 x 62.4 x 23.6 cm (19 3/16 x 24 9/16 x 9 5/16 in.)
Material:
Accessories: platform
Description:
This grating monochromator is grey, made of metal, and trapezoidal in shape. It has three silver knobs - drum micrometers - which can be used to manually adjust various settings. The knob on top is likely used to adjust wavelength and the knobs on the sides of the object (marked in milimeters) are likely used to adjust slit openings. On the left side of the object, there is an entrance slit which can be opened to admit light into the instrument. Underneath the entrace slit, there is a rectangular plate with three screws in it (for a platform). On the front face, there is a black round exit slit. Below the exit slit, there is a rectangular plate with three holes in it (for a platform). The two feet at one end of the instrument can set it at an angle.
Signedrectangular plate on the front of the instrument: BAUSCH & LOMB / INCORPORATED / N.Y. U.S.A. / MODEL NO. ?
Inscribedhandwritten with black marker on the back of instrument: HASTINGS
FunctionA monochromator is an optical device that selects a narrow band of wavelengths of light (or any other radiation depending on the instrument) chosen from a wider range of wavelengths available at the input.
A grating monochromator, in addition to an entrance slit, an exit slit, and internal optics, contains a mirrored dispersion element called a grating that transmits or reflects light inside of the instrument. After light enters through the entrance slit, the grating disperses the wavelengths, which allows a particular wavelength of choice to exit through the slit.
This particular instrument was used by Professor Woodland Hastings to record the emission spectral output of dinoflagellates' bioluminescence, or the light emissions of unicellular protists. This monochromator is "blazed in blue" which means that the grating was adjusted to select blue wavelengths of light from a polychromatic spectrum.
A grating monochromator, in addition to an entrance slit, an exit slit, and internal optics, contains a mirrored dispersion element called a grating that transmits or reflects light inside of the instrument. After light enters through the entrance slit, the grating disperses the wavelengths, which allows a particular wavelength of choice to exit through the slit.
This particular instrument was used by Professor Woodland Hastings to record the emission spectral output of dinoflagellates' bioluminescence, or the light emissions of unicellular protists. This monochromator is "blazed in blue" which means that the grating was adjusted to select blue wavelengths of light from a polychromatic spectrum.
Historical AttributesUsed by Prof. Woodland Hastings lab to record the emission spectral output of dinoflagellates' bioluminescence. This monochromator is blazed in the blue
Curatorial RemarksA similar grating monochromator is missing the platform that can be screwed into the hole underneath the exit slit (1999-1-0088).
ProvenanceThis object came from the laboratory of J. Woodland Hastings, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University.
