There are two types of photometers: spectrophotometer and filter photometer. A monochromator (with prism or with grating) in spectrophotometers is used to gain monochromatic light of one defined wavelength. In filter photometers, optical filters are used to provide the monochromatic light. Spectrophotometers can thus easily be set to measure the absorbance at different wavelengths, and they can also be used to scan the spectrum of the absorbing substance. They are in this way more flexible than filter photometers, also give a higher optical purity of the analyzing light, and therefore they are preferably used for research purposes.
There are two types of photometers
There are two types of photometers: spectrophotometer and filter photometer. A monochromator (with prism or with grating) in spectrophotometers is used to gain monochromatic light of one defined wavelength. In filter photometers, optical filters are used to provide the monochromatic light. Spectrophotometers can thus easily be set to measure the absorbance at different wavelengths, and they can also be used to scan the spectrum of the absorbing substance. They are in this way more flexible than filter photometers, also give a higher optical purity of the analyzing light, and therefore they are preferably used for research purposes.