Stark spectroscopy (sometimes known as electroabsorption/emission spectroscopy) is a form of
spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the field of study that measures and interprets the electromagnetic spectra that result from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter as a function of the wavelength or frequency of the radiation. Matter ...
based on the
Stark effect
The Stark effect is the shifting and splitting of spectral lines of atoms and molecules due to the presence of an external electric field. It is the electric-field analogue of the Zeeman effect, where a spectral line is split into several compo ...
. In brief, this technique makes use of the Stark effect (or electrochromism) either to reveal information about the physiochemical or physical properties of a sample using a well-characterized electric field or to reveal information about an electric field using a reference sample with a well-characterized Stark effect.
The use of the term "Stark effect" differs between the disciplines of chemistry and physics. Physicists tend to use the more classical definition of the term (see
Stark effect
The Stark effect is the shifting and splitting of spectral lines of atoms and molecules due to the presence of an external electric field. It is the electric-field analogue of the Zeeman effect, where a spectral line is split into several compo ...
), while chemists usually use the term to refer to what is technically
electrochromism
Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material displays changes in color or opacity in response to an electrical stimulus.
In this way, a smart window made of an electrochromic material can block specific wavelengths of ultraviolet, visi ...
.
[Liptay, W. ''Berichte der Bunsengesellschaft für physikalische Chemie''. 1974, 80, 207-217.; Liptay, W. ''Excited States''. 129-159.] In the former case, the applied electric field splits the atomic energy levels and is the electric field analog of the
Zeeman effect
The Zeeman effect (; ) is the effect of splitting of a spectral line into several components in the presence of a static magnetic field. It is named after the Dutch physicist Pieter Zeeman, who discovered it in 1896 and received a Nobel priz ...
. However, in the latter case, the applied electric field changes the molar
absorption coefficient
The linear attenuation coefficient, attenuation coefficient, or narrow-beam attenuation coefficient characterizes how easily a volume of material can be penetrated by a beam of light, sound, particles, or other energy or matter. A coefficient valu ...
of the sample, which can be measured using traditional absorption or emission spectroscopic methods. This effect is known as electrochromism.
See also
*
Stark effect
The Stark effect is the shifting and splitting of spectral lines of atoms and molecules due to the presence of an external electric field. It is the electric-field analogue of the Zeeman effect, where a spectral line is split into several compo ...
*
Plasma diagnostics Plasma diagnostics are a pool of methods, instruments, and experimental techniques used to measure properties of a plasma, such as plasma components' density, distribution function over energy (temperature), their spatial profiles and dynamics, whic ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stark Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy