A Modular Raman Spectrometer for Solids

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 13 Issue 2 (2008) pp 82-86

A Modular Raman Spectrometer for Solids

Debra Johnson,^*,† Peter Larsen,^*,‡ Jerry Fluellen,^*,§ Douglas Furton,^*,§ Stephanie A. Schaertel,^††,^*

^†North Muskegon High School, North Muskegon, MI 49445, johnsode@nmps.k12.mi.us; ^‡Holland High School, Holland, MI 49423, plarsen@hollandpublicschools.org ;^§ Department of Physics, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, saxhero7@aol.com, furtond@gvsu.edu; ^††Department of Chemistry, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, schaerts@gvsu.edu
Received August 10, 2007. Accepted November 25, 2007.

Published online: 25 February 2008

Abstract. We describe a modular Raman spectrometer system capable of quickly collecting spectra from pellets of organic and inorganic substances, solid mineral samples, and solid biological samples. The system can be assembled from commercial components. This spectrometer system opens up the possibility of including solid-state Raman spectroscopy in the undergraduate physical and analytical chemistry laboratory curricula.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, laser spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, resonance Raman spectroscopy, instrumentation, CCD detectors, protein structure, proteomics, geology, minerals

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: schaerts@gvsu.edu)

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