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The spectral range
The word light is a synonym for electromagnetic waves: an expression which physicist prefer. These waves are characterized by their wavelength and their number of oscillations per second, normally referred to as frequency. The phrase: electromagnetic spectrum describes a range of wavelengths or frequencies.
The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we <<see>> with our eyes as color is only a small range of the spectrum that exists. This part which is referred to as visible light has a range of wavelengths that start at ~380 nm and stops ~780 nm.
At omt we can analyze a spectral range that is about 6 times larger than this range, starting at 200 nm and ending at 2500 nm. Utilizing this extended range we can <<see>> more things than what is apparent to our eyes.
Light is our probe
At omt we use light as a probe to measure various properties of samples. These measurements are fast and samples can be analyzed without destroying or modifying them. Hence light is an ideal tool for industrial applications e.g. quality control of various types of samples during production, for obtaining properties from samples that can not be directly accessed, and samples that have to undergo further processing.
With our technology we can detect light that is either transmitted, reflected, scattered or absorbed from the sample of interest.