The light from a source can consist of a continuous spectrum, an emission spectrum (bright lines), or an absorption spectrum (dark lines). Because each element leaves its spectral signature in the pattern of lines observed, a spectral analysis can reveal the composition of the object being analyzed.OverviewA spectrometer is a scientific instrument used to separate and measure components of a physical phenomenon. Spectrometer is a broad term often used to describe instruments that measure a continuous. (often simply called "spectrometers"), in particular, show the intensity of as a function of wavelength or of frequency. The different wavelengths of light are separated by in a or by.