Atomic emission and optical emission spectrometers determine analyte concentration via a quantitative measurement of the optical emission from excited atoms

Spectrometers are analytical instruments which disperse an emission (such as particles or radiation) according to some property of the emission (such as mass or energy) in order to measure the amount of the dispersion.

Flame photometers use atomic emission for the routine detection of metal salts, principally sodium (Na), potassium (K), lithium (Li) and calcium (Ca

Mass spectrometers separate ions by their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios.

Gas chromatography detectors (GC detectors) identify solutes as they exit the chromatographic column.

Gas chromatographs separate organic chemical mixtures according to physical properties.

Specialty microscopes are designed for specific applications such as metallurgy or gemology.