# Polychromator

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A '''polychromator''' is an [optical device](/source/optical_device) that is used to disperse [light](/source/light) into different directions to isolate parts of the [spectrum](/source/spectrum) of the light.  A [prism](/source/prism_(optics)) or [diffraction grating](/source/diffraction_grating) can be used to disperse the light. Unlike a [monochromator](/source/monochromator), it outputs multiple beams over a range of [wavelength](/source/wavelength)s simultaneously. Monochromators have one exit slit and one wavelength at a time can pass through that slit. Polychromators have multiple exit slits, each of which allows a different wavelength to pass through it. A detector is placed after each slit so that the light at each wavelength is measured by a different detector. Polychromators are often used in [spectroscopy](/source/spectroscopy).

[Spectrograph](/source/Spectrograph) is a closely related term. Spectrographs generally do not make use of exit slits. Instead, they use a single spatially selective detector (such as photographic film or a [charge-coupled device](/source/charge-coupled_device)). Spectrographs are generally used to observe a continuous range of wavelengths, while polychromators are more commonly used to observe several discrete wavelengths, leaving gaps in-between.

== External links ==
* Palmer, Christopher, ''Diffraction Grating Handbook'', 8th edition, MKS Newport (2020). [https://www.gratinglab.com/Information/Handbook/Handbook.aspx]

Category:Optical devices

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Polychromator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychromator) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychromator?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.