A monochromator splits light into its component spectrum, then isolates and transmits a specific narrow band of wavelengths. The name is from Greek mono- 'single'; chroma 'colour' and Latin -ator 'denoting an agent'. The monochromator comprises a dispersive element, an entrance slit and mirrors to create a parallel beam similar to sunlight, and an exit slit and mirrors to extract the monochromatic light. A spectrometer separates an incoming light source into its spectral components, while measuring the outgoing light intensity emitted by a substance over a broad spectral range.
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