Transient Absorption Spectrometer

The transient absorption spectrometer, also known as a flash photolysis spectrometer, is specifically designed to measure transitions

 between quantum states in samples. A solid-state sample in the ground state is excited to an excited state by an intense laser pulse 

and then immediately relaxes back to the ground state. This relaxation process is monitored by measuring the absorption of white 

light by a liquid sample or by measuring the light reflected from a solid-state sample. The solid-state sample can be immersed in an 

electrolyte, and its polarization potential can be set during measurement. The system provides functionalities to measure 

laser-pulse-excited fluorescence and phosphorescence. The measurement system is very intuitive to operate, and the dedicated 

software offers automated experimental procedures.

"Instrument Functions"

· Transmission/absorption or reflection spectrum of the sample

· Excitation fluorescence spectrum of the sample

· Current-voltage characteristics of electrochemical samples

· Duration of the excited state generated in the sample by a light pulse

· Laser beam intensity at the input and output of the sample chamber

Example results. The above charts were provided by an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

"System Configuration"

· Enclosed sample chamber

· Xenon lamp with water cooling system and pulse generator

· Laser, typically Nd:YAG, with selectable higher harmonics

· Monochromator for the UV/Vis/IR spectral range

· Oscilloscope

· Photomultiplier tube (PMT)

· Timer for synchronizing all components of the system

· Potentiostat for providing full characterization of electrochemical samples

· Electrochemical cuvette with platinum electrode and Ag/AgCl reference electrode

· Equipped with dedicated FotoGUI software