I am attempting to obtain the fluorescence emission spectra from nanocrystals that I have prepared. The spectrophotometric equipment utilizes a fiber optic cable (1 meter long) to collect the emitted light and bring it to the spectrophotometer. This fiber optic cable is of the UV-VIS variety, however, there is a substantial increase in attenuation due to the fiber at wavelengths less than 400 nm (see attached graph from the manufacturer).
My primary interest is in emissions in the 250-400 nm range. Is there a way to correct the spectral data to account for the increased attenuation from the fiber at < 400 nm?
In principle yes. The optical characteristics of your fiber are for sure superimposed by the characteristics of your detection system. So if you want to correct these influences, you can use a lamp with a suitable wavelength range and known emission spectra. The emission spectra you measure once again using your whole setup. Afterwards, you can calculate the wavelength dependent factors introduced by your setup by a comparison of the real spectra and your measured ones.
The attenuation is due to Rayleigh scattering that strongly increases at shorter wavelengths Lambda-4. The correction can be done by considering the attenuation factor based on Rayleigh scattering over the whole UV range.
I suggest use a deuterium Lamp and calibrate your system to get absolute value at shorter wavelengths. However, you may also contact Ocean Optics USA and inquire about a fiber optics that may give you a more smooth wavelength dependence.
Aslam
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