The research described in this dissertation conclusively demonstrates the superior qualitative and quantitative performance of spectroscopic systems which employ a new class of optical detectors--charge transfer device (CTD) detectors. An overview of the operation and characteristics of these detectors, as well as theoretical models predicting their performance are presented. The evaluation of a unique prototype single element CID detector, a commercially available linear CCD detector, and a prototype two-dimensional CCD detector are described. Outstanding characteristics include the ability of the single element CID to quantitate photon fluxes ranging over eleven orders of magnitude, a quantum efficiency of the linear CCD in excess of 90%, and a read noise of the two-dimensional CCD of under 5 electrons. In addition, the use of the linear CCD for molecular fluorescence spectroscopy is demonstrated. A direct comparison of CCD and CID detection for atomic emission spectroscopy using a custom echelle system is described. The second part of these investigations focus on the design of spectrometers compatible with the format of these multichannel detectors. While a large number of spectrometer designs exist, the spectrometer and detector combination which produces the highest possible signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) spectra for a given experimental system is almost always desired. The investigations into optimum spectrometer design have led to the use of a unique spatial interferometer system. The performance of a common path interferometer using a linear charge-coupled device detectors is presented and compared to conventional dispersive systems. The throughput, resolution, and other practical factors are discussed. The common path system has a much larger light gathering ability compared to dispersive systems; however, spatial interferometry suffers from the multiplex disadvantages encountered with other forms of UV/Vis interferometry. A unique crossed interferometric dispersive arrangement allows the simultaneous acquisition of the spectral information while greatly reducing these multiplex disadvantages. Preliminary work on the crossed interferometric system is presented demonstrating significant reduction of these multiplex disadvantages.
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