Basics of UV-visible absorption spectroscopy

Absorption spectroscopy is a technique based on the interaction between radiation and matter. It allows the characterization and quantification of liquids, solids and gases.

Generally, wavelength ranges probed are:

• 200 to 400 nm for ultra-violet (UV)
• 400 to 800 nm for the visible region (this range of wavelength is related to the colour of a molecule)
• > 800 nm for near infra-red

In the UV domain, we may consider 4 categories depending on the wavelength:

• UV-A (315 – 400 nm)
• UV-B (280 - 315 nm)
• UV-C (100 - 280 nm)
• Extreme UV (10 - 100 nm)

UV-visible absorption spectroscopy is often used as a detection method for separative techniques such as liquid chromatography.