Choosing the right laser for Raman spectroscopy isn’t particularly an easy task. In the past, I initially proposed to use Thorlabs cheap CPS532 laser which has limited spectral performances that limited the spectrometer resolution to 35 cm-1. I also proposed a Read more…
Choosing the proper laser for Raman spectroscopy can be a difficult task. You want one that is performant enough but without having to pay the high price for it. Another difficulty adds up when recommending specific laser brands because you Read more…
Operating a laser is far from being a trivial operation. Depending on the exact temperature and current you may experience completely different behaviors! This is illustrated in Figure 1 where you can see the high-resolution spectrum of the same laser Read more…
In this post I will share some of the most important tips I learned about optical systems assembly and alignment during my career. I will use OpenRAMAN as a teaching example because applying these tips will make a big difference, Read more…
When I first started the OpenRAMAN project there is one word that resonated for me: accessibility. I wanted the project to bring Raman spectroscopy to as many people as possible, and more specifically to those like me who couldn’t afford Read more…
One of the main reasons I started the OpenRAMAN project was to enable amateur chemists and students to validate synthesis they used in their home/pet projects. Without metrology instruments, it is impossible to perform science correctly and chemistry is no Read more…
A few months ago I presented the Spectrum Analyzer Suite software with its semi-automated, robust, calibration technology. I’m now taking the occasion of a few days off to detail the algorithm I used there. I haven’t found previous references for Read more…
Event monitoring is a key feature in debugging applications and should be implemented from the start in your C++ programs. It will later help you discovering the origin of errors when deploying your software to a large variety of computers. Read more…
I recently had the occasion to measure the efficiency of the spectrometer part of the OpenRAMAN setup using a calibrated powermeter (Thorlabs PM100D) at the office and I’m therefore taking the occasion to create a short post on the subject. Read more…
One of the main reasons I started working on Raman spectroscopy was the ability to actually observe what was going on during a reaction. Some folk told me one day that chemistry was all about faith: you mix two compounds Read more…