Cell-phone camera Raman spectrometer

In this report, we describe the design, construction, and operation of a cell-phone-based Raman and emission spectral detector, which when coupled to a diffraction grating and cell-phone camera system provides means for the detection, recording, and identification of chemicals, drugs, and biological molecules, in situ by means of their Raman and fluorescence spectra. The newly constructed cell-phone spectrometer system was used to record Raman spectra from various chemicals and biological molecules including the resonance enhanced Raman spectra of carrots and bacteria. In addition, we present the quantitative analysis of alcohol-water Raman spectra, performed using our cell-phone spectrometer. The designed and constructed system was also used for constructing Raman images of the samples by utilizing a position scanning stage in conjunction with the system. This compact and portable system is well suited for in situ field applications of Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy and may also be an integrated feature of future cell-phones. Published under license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

This report describes a cell-phone-based Raman and emission spectral detector system, which is capable of detecting, recording, and identifying chemicals, drugs, and biological molecules in situ. The system was used to record Raman spectra from various substances and perform quantitative analysis of alcohol-water Raman spectra. Additionally, Raman images of samples were constructed using a position scanning stage in conjunction with the system.