
© Ultrafast Systems LLC/Vernier Software & Technology
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1 General
Information
1.1 Introduction
The Vernier Flash Photolysis Spectrometer is designed to be a simple, user-friendly device for
demonstrating to chemistry students the fundamental principles of chemical kinetics. Every process that
we label as “chemical” occurs as the result of chemical bonds being broken or formed, i.e., nuclei change
their spatial positions with respect to each other. Chemical kinetics is one of the major divisions of
physical chemistry and is basically the quantitative study of the rates and mechanisms of chemical
reactions. Chemical change can be induced in a variety of ways—the one employed in the Vernier Flash
Photolysis Spectrometer is by absorption of light. Thus the instrument serves also as a way of introducing
the student to the concepts and practice of photochemistry.
1.2 Specifications
1.2.1 Spectrometer
Specifications
Spectral Coverage
450–750 nm
Spectral Resolution
Determined by an interference filter used. Typically ~10 nm
Temporal Resolution
~100 µs
Time Window
≥
15 ms