Spectroscopy Collection

Mass spectrometer, 1954
Mass spectrometer. Researchers adjusting the controls of a mass spectrometer. This is an all-metal demountable mass spectrometer

H-He-Hg emission spectra C017 / 7260
H-He-Hg emission spectra. Graphical representation of the emission spectra lines for the elements hydrogen (H), helium (He) and mercury (Hg)

Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, German physicist
Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887), German physicist. While he was still a student, Kirchhoff formulated what became known as Kirchhoffs Laws

Elemental analysis
MODEL RELEASED. Elemental analysis. Laboratory technician using an inductively coupled plasma - atomic optical emission spectrometer (ICP-AES)

19th century illustration showing a spectroscope, used by Sir William Huggins
5311497 19th century illustration showing a spectroscope, used by Sir William Huggins, (1824 - 1910); English astronomer best known for his pioneering work in astronomical spectroscopy together with

19th century illustration showing a spectroscope used by Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824 - 1887)
5311496 19th century illustration showing a spectroscope used by Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824 - 1887); German physicist who contributed to the fundamental understanding of electrical circuits

Anders Jonas Angstrom
3078191 Anders Jonas Angstrom; (add.info.: Photographic portrait of Anders Jonas Angstrom (1814-1874) a Swedish physicist and founder of the science of spectroscopy

Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932. Possibly a portrait of Robert Williams Wood, American physicist and inventor who made important contributions to the field of optics; pioneered

Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Professor Robert Wood, portrait photograph, 1932. Possibly a portrait of Robert Williams Wood, American physicist and inventor who made important contributions to the field of optics; pioneered

Spectrum Analysis (colour litho)
2780219 Spectrum Analysis (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Spectrum Analysis. Exhibited at the Royal Polytechnic Institution, London)

Edmond Becquerel (litho)
STC409098 Edmond Becquerel (litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel (1820-91), French physicist; ); The Stapleton Collection; French

Spectral analysis (colour litho)
3630291 Spectral analysis (colour litho) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Spectral analysis)

Spectral analysis: absorption spectra (colour litho)
3630290 Spectral analysis: absorption spectra (colour litho) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Spectral analysis: absorption spectra)

Bunsen-Kirchoff Spectroscope invented by Robert Bunsen (1811-99
CHT237259 Bunsen-Kirchoff Spectroscope invented by Robert Bunsen (1811-99) and Gustav Kirchoff (1824-87) in 1859 (engraving) (b/w photo) by German School, (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale

Sir William Crookes, British chemist and physicist (b / w photo)
6015358 Sir William Crookes, British chemist and physicist (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir William Crookes (1832-1919)

Charles Wheatstone (engraving)
815884 Charles Wheatstone (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875)

Telescope de Tulse Hill, Installe par W Huggins pour ses etudes de spectroscopie (engraving)
2787870 Telescope de Tulse Hill, Installe par W Huggins pour ses etudes de spectroscopie (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Telescope de Tulse Hill)

Robert Wilhelm Bunsen, 19th century German chemist, (1900). Bunsen (1811-1899) is widely considered one of the greatest experimental chemists of the 19th century

Medal commemorating Pierre Janssen and Norman Lockyer, French and English astronomers, 1868
Medal commemorating Pierre Janssen and Joseph Norman Lockyer, French and English astronomers, 1868. In 1868, working independently of each other on spectroscopic studies of solar prominences

Pierre Janssen and Joseph Norman Lockyer, French and English astronomers, 1868. Pierre Jules Cesar Janssen (1824-1907), left, and Joseph Norman Lockyer (1836-1920)

Gustav Kirchhoff, Robert Bunsen and Henry Roscoe, scientists, c1860. Left to right: Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887), German physicist; Robert Wilhelm Eberhard von Bunsen (1811-1899)

Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, German physicist, 1873. Kirchhoff (1824-1887) is known for his work on electricity, heat and optics

Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, German physicist, 1876. Kirchhoff (1824-1887) is known for his work on electricity, heat and optics

Spectroscopic apparatus used by Robert Wilhelm Bunsen and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, c1895
Spectroscopic apparatus used by Robert Wilhelm Bunsen (1811-1899) and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887). Discovered Spectrum Analysis (1859)

Spectrum analysis, 1873. A magic lantern being used to project slides during a lecture on spectrum analysis at the Royal Polytechnic Institution, London

Spectroscope, 1882. A spectroscope of the type used by Gustave Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887) and Robert Wilhelm Bunsen (1811-1899) in studying the emission spectra of heated chemical elements

Robert Bunsen, German chemist, 1850s. Artist: C Cook
Robert Bunsen, German chemist, 1850s. Signed portrait; Bunsen (1811-1899) is widely considered one of the greatest experimental chemists of the 19th century

Spectroscopy. A spectrosopist observing (top). At the bottom, from left to right; absorption spectra of indigo, chromic chloride and magenta

William Huggins, British astronomer and spectroscopist, 1903. Artist: Spy
William Huggins, British astronomer and spectroscopist, 1903. Huggins (1824-1910) was the inventor of the solar spectroscope

Spectroscope, 1872. Instrument of the type developed by Robert Bunsen (1811-1899) and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887) during the 1850s

Raman laser spectroscopy C016 / 3827
Raman laser spectroscopy. Researcher observing laser beams and microscope objectives. This LabRAM HR Raman laser spectrometer is being used to obtain phase

Faradays egg. An egg-shaped glass flask made by Michael Faraday (1791-1867) to study the flow of electricity. Faraday was trying to discover whether matter was required for an electrical current to

Colored moon, (geological differences)

Diagram of the transparency of Earths atmosphere to different types of radiation
Diagram illustrating the transparency of Earths atmosphere to different types of radiation

Spectroscopist observing (top). Bottom, left to right, Absorption spectra of Indigo, Chromic Chloride, and Magenta. Lithograph

Spectroscopic apparatus used by used by Robert Wilhelm Bunsen (1811-1899) and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887). Discovered Spectrum Analysis (1859)

Spectroscope of the type used by Robert Wilhelm Bunsen (1811-1899) and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887). Discovered Spectrum Analysis (1859)

Magic lantern being used to project slides during a lecture on spectrum analysis at the Royal Polytechnic Institution, London. From John Henry Pepper Cyclopaedic Science Simplified, London, 1873

William Huggins (1824-1910) British astronomer and spectroscopist. Inventor of solar spectroscope. Spy (Leslie Ward) cartoon from Vanity Fair London 1903

Janssen and Lockyer, 1868. Pierre Jules Cesar Janssen (1824-1907), French astronomerand Joseph Norman Lockyer (1836-1920), English astronomer

Gustave Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887), German physicist. Together with Robert Wilhelm Bunsen (1811-1899) he pioneered spectrum analysis, and formulated two laws governing electric networks

Gustave Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887), German physicist, 1876. He is known for his work in electricity, heat, and optics. He collaboration with Robert Wilhelm Bunsen (1811-1899)

Joseph von Fraunhofers (1787-1826) diagram of the lines of the solar spectrum, and above it a curve showing the intensity of sunlight in different parts of the spectrum

Joseph von Fraunhofer (1787-1826), German physicist. Developed the spectrum and mapped the lines of the solar spectrum (Fraunhofer lines). Engraving (c1895)

William Hyde Wollaston (1766-1828), English chemist, born at East Dereham, Norfolk, England. Wollaston discovered Palladium (1804), Rhodium (1805), and Ductile Platinum

Continuous spectrum caused by white light passing through lens

William Coblentz, US physicist C015 / 3286
William Coblentz (1873-1962), US physicist and astronomer with a spectroscope in his laboratory. Coblentz is best known for his work in infrared spectroscopy

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Spectroscopy, a fascinating field of study that has revolutionized the way we understand matter and light. Dating back to 1954 with the invention of the mass spectrometer, it has allowed scientists to delve into the intricate world of atoms and molecules. One of its earliest breakthroughs came in 1860 when Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, a German physicist, discovered emission spectra for hydrogen (H), helium (He), and mercury (Hg). This finding paved the way for elemental analysis, enabling researchers to identify elements based on their unique spectral fingerprints. In 1905, Sir William Huggins immortalized himself through an oil painting capturing his dedication to spectrum analysis. His work showcased how this technique could unveil hidden secrets about celestial bodies by analyzing their emitted light. Edmond Becquerel further contributed to spectroscopy's advancement through lithography depicting his experiments in spectral analysis. These colorful lithographs not only captured the beauty of scientific exploration but also highlighted how different substances absorb or emit specific wavelengths of light. The Bunsen-Kirchoff Spectroscope invented by Robert Bunsen was another milestone in this field. This device enabled scientists like Sir William Crookes, a British chemist and physicist depicted in black-and-white photography, to observe and analyze various spectra accurately. Charles Wheatstone's engraving serves as a reminder that spectroscopy is not limited solely to chemistry or physics but extends its reach across multiple disciplines, and is an interdisciplinary tool used in fields such as biology, astronomy, medicine, and environmental science. From absorption spectra revealing molecular structures to emission spectra unraveling distant stars' composition – spectroscopy continues to unlock mysteries at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Its applications are vast; it aids forensic investigations by identifying trace evidence while assisting astronomers in understanding galaxies billions of light-years away. As we marvel at these captivating images showcasing different aspects of spectroscopy's evolution over time - from black-and-white photography to vibrant lithographs.