How to Build a Spectrometer
A spectrometer measures properties of light over a specific range of the electromagnetic spectrum. These properties most often include intensity and may also include the polarization state of the light. A spectrometer is most often used to identify the materials in the light source. A spectrometer that analyzes light in the visible spectrum is more specifically called a spectrophotometer. You can easily construct this type of spectrometer from common materials.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard tube, 25 cm long
- Compact disk
- Flat piece of cardboard
- Fluorescent light
- Tape
- X-acto knife
Instructions
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1
Cut a very thin slit in the flat piece of cardboard with the X-acto knife. The slit should be made with a single cut and be less than a millimeter wide. This slit will allow light to enter the tube from the viewed object.
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2
Position this piece on one end of the cardboard tube so that the slit is horizontal. Tape the flat piece to the tube tightly so that no light passes between the two pieces. Call this end A.
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3
Cut a viewing slot on the side of the cardboard tube 4 cm from the end of the tube that was not taped in step 2. Call this end B. The viewing slot should be 1 cm to 2 cm long.
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4
Make a thin slot in the cardboard near end B at a 45 degree angle. Insert the CD into this slot and adjust it so that the light entering the slit at end A is reflected off the CD and out of the viewing slit. Tape the CD securely in place.
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5
Point end A toward a light source such a fluorescent light and look through the view slot. Adjust your viewing position until you get the best look at the spectrum.
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