spectroscopic
adj. C1 Advanced spec·tro·scop·ic
adj. relating to the study of how light interacts with matter. Scientists use this to identify what elements are in a substance.
adj. relating to the analysis of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. Often used to describe techniques for identifying chemical composition or physical properties.
The scientist used a spectroscopic method to find the elements in the rock.
Astronomers use spectroscopic data to determine the chemical makeup of distant stars and galaxies.
Advances in high-resolution spectroscopic imaging have allowed researchers to map the distribution of specific molecules within living cells with unprecedented spatial accuracy.