А) On investigated objects

§ The nuclear spectral analysis

§ The molecular spectral analysis

B) On the nature of interaction of electromagnetic radiation with substance

Absorption analysis

§ Atomic-absorption analysis - Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is a spectroanalytical procedure for the quantitative determination of chemical elements employing the absorption of optical radiation (light) by free atoms in the gaseous state.

§ Molecular-absorption analysis - Molecular absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) is concerned with the measured absorption of radiation in its passage through a gas, a liquid or a solid.

§ Turbidimetric analysis - Turbidimetry (the name being derived from turbidity) is the process of measuring the loss of intensity of transmitted light due to scattering effect particles suspended in it. Light is passed through a filter creating a light of known wavelength which is then passed through a cuvette containing a solution.

The emissive spectral analysis

§ flame photometry - Flame photometry, more properly called flame atomic emission spectrometry, is a fast, simple, and sensitive analytical method for the determination of trace metal ions in solution.

§ fluorescence analysis - Luminescence is emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat; it is thus a form of cold body radiation.

§ The spectral analysis with usage of effect of combinational dispersion of light.

Other methods

§ nephelometric method - Nephelometry is the measurement of scattered light. This technique requires a special measuring instrument, where the detector is set at an angle to the incident light beam.

Optical arrangements of nephelometry and turbidimetry

§ refractometric analysis - Refractometry is the method of measuring substances' refractive index (one of their fundamental physical properties) in order to, for example, assess their composition or purity. A refractometer is the instrument used to measure refractive index ("RI")

Components in a typical reflectometer used to measure analytes on urine dipstick

§ polarimetric analysis - Polarimetry is the measurement and interpretation of the polarization of transverse waves, most notably electromagnetic waves, such as radio or light waves.

An automatic digital polarimeter

§ interferometric analysis - Interferometry is a family of techniques in which waves, usually electromagnetic, are superimposed in order to extract information about the waves.

Three amplitude-splitting interferometers: Fizeau, Mach–Zehnder, and Fabry Perot