emission spectrum

noun

Physics.

1. the spectrum formed by electromagnetic radiations emitted by a given source, characteristic of the source and the type of excitation inducing the radiations.

emission spectrum

noun

1. the continuous spectrum or pattern of bright lines or bands seen when the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a substance is passed into a spectrometer. The spectrum is characteristic of the emitting substance and the type of excitation to which it is subjected Compare absorption spectrum

emission spectrum

1. The distribution of electromagnetic radiation released by a substance whose atoms have been excited by heat or radiation. A spectroscope can be used to determine which frequencies have been emitted by a substance. The emission spectrum is a combination of the atomic spectra of the various kinds of atoms making up the substance and can be analyzed to determine the substance's chemical or atomic composition.

2. See more at atomic spectrum

Word History and Origins

Origin of emission spectrum¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

During their examination of Pa 30, Ritter and his colleagues noted that the remnant’s emission spectrum contained a particular line associated with the element sulfur.

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At 100 K, a structuring of the emission spectrum is observed compared to the one at room temperature.

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Manipulating its emission spectrum is a clever idea.

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A layer of graphene is used to control the emission spectrum of a laser.

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In such a case, “it's okay to have the emission spectrum overlap because you are imaging individual molecules”, says Hess.

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