Who invented the first spectrophotometer?
A spectrophotometer is a laboratory instrument used to measure the absorption of light by a compound at various wavelengths. It works by transmitting light through a sample and measuring the intensity of light that passes through or is reflected by the sample.
A single person did not invent the spectrophotometer, but it is the result of the development of various scientific concepts involving many scientists. However, Arnold O. Beckman is most often recognized for his contribution to developing the modern spectrophotometer.
In 1940, Beckman designed the first practical and accurate ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, the Beckman DU Spectrophotometer. This instrument revolutionized the way scientists conducted chemical and biochemical analyses because it enabled more precise measurements of the concentration of substances based on the interaction of light with matter.
Nevertheless, the contributions of other scientists cannot be overlooked, including:
• Joseph von Fraunhofer (a German scientist) studied the spectrum of light in the early 19th century, laying the foundation for the development of spectroscopy.
• Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff also contributed to understanding the relationship between the wavelength of light and the chemical properties of elements.
Today, the development of spectrophotometers has become increasingly modern, and they are widely used for various applications, such as measuring the concentration of compounds, antioxidant activity, and more.
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