DIY Mini Smartphone Spectrometer

This is an improved and modified design of the PublicLab project. It uses a real, factory made diffraction grating instead of piece of DVD. It is made in and shipped from England and cheaper than the original sold in the US. You also save on the postage, duty tax and get it faster. 

It turns any device with a camera (smartphone, tablet or laptop) into a spectrometer. The analysis software works through web browser (Windows/macOS/Android or iOS 6+). It is free to use.

The mini-spectrometer folds up in minutes to transform your smartphone into a compact, simple, yet powerful experimental tool - a visible/near-infrared spectrometer. This kit comes with light-blocking black card case and includes real - factory made diffraction grating, along with complete instructions for assembly. It works for wavelengths of 400-700 nanometres.

Note that the longer wavelengths may get attenuated by your camera's infrared filter.

Just add glue or tape. Attach to your phone or webcam, calibrate and share spectra through open source software. You will not need any app. Just use your web browser and go to spectralworkbench website (exact link provided with the kit due to ebay policies).

This is DIY kit - you will need to assemble it yourself. The kit includes:

-black, matt cardboard to make the spectrometer case

-20x20mm holographic diffraction grating

-0.4mm cardboard collimation slit

-assembly instructions

You will need a sharp knife or scalpel and glue (cyanoacrylate recommended) or self-adhesive tape.

This is not a super-precise and sophisticated instrument.  It is intended for educational and fun purposes.

What is spectrometry?

What we perceive as a single colour consists of multiple blended colours- just as green paint can be made from mixing yellow and blue paint. A spectrometer is a device that splits light into the various colours it is composed of, which we otherwise cannot distinguish with the naked eye. By viewing a substance through a spectrometer, one can distinguish the exact mixture of colours, which correspond to specific wavelengths of light. These can be compared to other spectra to help identify the sample.

Postage:

I post every day before 10am Monday-Friday. Postage time on Saturday varies. No postage on Sunday. 

Postage to Europe takes 4-6 working days. 

Postage to the rest of the world takes 6-10 working days.

Postage costs:

UK - Royal Mail 1st class £0.8

Europe - RM Airmal International 1.70

Rest of the World including Europe - RM Airmail International £2

Notes:

Smartphone not included.

You can return the item provided it is in unused condition and it is well protected for postage. You can use the original sturdy envelope. You will have to pay the return postage.

This is an open hardware project originally developed by Public Lab. You are free to reproduce, share and distribute with attribution.  

CERN Open Hardware License 1.1

Made in and shipped from England.

DIY Mini Smartphone Spectrometer | Spektrometer | Spectromètre | Espectrómetro | Spettrometro | Espectrômetro | Spektrometri | Спектрометр | 分光器 | 光谱仪 | 분광기 | مطياف