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échelle

échelle

9.9
A tool scientists use to split light into thin colour lines for study
  • noun
  • /eɪˈʃɛl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : espectrógrafo
  • The astronomer used an échelle to analyze the star's spectrum.

Examples

  • A new échelle was installed to improve the telescope's ability to separate close spectral lines.

  • Upgrading the échelle allowed the laboratory to detect much finer spectral details.

  • The astronomers used an échelle to analyze the starlight with high precision.

  • Can you pass me the échelle for the experiment?

  • The astronomers used an échelle to analyze the starlight with high precision.

  • Upgrading the échelle allowed the laboratory to detect much finer spectral details.

  • A new échelle was installed to improve the telescope's ability to separate close spectral lines.

Synonyms

spectrograph
vséchelle
  • Specialized
4 8.9

A machine that records the different colours of light from something for scientific study

separates light into very fine spectral lines rather than only capturing recordings
spectroscope
vséchelle
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A tool that splits light into colours for study

focuses on splitting light into very fine spectral lines for detailed measurement
echelon
vséchelle
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A device of stacked plates that spreads light into colors

functions as a device that separates light into very fine spectral lines
prism spectroscope
vséchelle
  • Specialized
8.8

An instrument that uses a prism to split light into separate colors for study

separates very fine spectral lines by diffraction rather than prism refraction

How Fine

interferometer
  • Specialized
3 9.9
échelle
  • Specialized
9.9
diffraction grating
  • Specialized
8.4
to prism
  • Specialized
8.1

Surface Forms

échelle singular
échelles plural

Etymology

Échelle is also the name for a type of spectrograph, named after the word for 'ladder' (scala) because it breaks light into many fine 'steps' or lines, like rungs on a ladder. So an échelle spectrograph helps scientists see very small details in the light.