tools sourced from chinese vendors

[Fandyus]

I've been looking for something that would allow me to organize the wavelengths emitted by an object into a rainbow. There are two items I've considered, but I'm not sure about their capabilities beyond visible light.

A diffraction grating would probably be best, but I'm not sure if the material this one is made of passes UV at all. I'm also not sure what amount of lines should I go for if I do choose to buy. (edit: quick look tells me it's made of PET. Does that pass UV?)

https://www.aliexpre....15d92e0eBuyRsu

Second is a handheld spectroscope. Has anyone bought this? I'm also unsure if the space of this is wide enough to show NIR and UV.

https://www.aliexpre....13422e0eiZywlb

Thank you, everyone who helps me decide.

[colinbm]

This is the Spectroscope that you have, when you don't have a Spectroscope.

It is limited to near UV to near IR. It will identify the emission for you.

RSPEC EXPLORER CLASSROOM SPECTROMETER

https://realtime-spectra.com/collections/for-your-classroom/products/rspec-explorer-classroom-spectrometer-1

 

It won't be long before you get a real one....

[Fandyus]

This is the Spectroscope that you have, when you don't have a Spectroscope.

It is limited to near UV to near IR. It will identify the emission for you.

RSPEC EXPLORER CLASSROOM SPECTROMETER

https://realtime-spectra.com/collections/for-your-classroom/products/rspec-explorer-classroom-spectrometer-1

 

It won't be long before you get a real one....

Oh boy I think it will. Spectrometers are mighty expensive and complex to handle if I'm not wrong. Thanks for explaining regardless.

[Andy Perrin]

There are cheaper model spectrometers (and I’ve been tempted) but they don’t cover UV. Plus you need good light sources and ways to calibrate them and probably other stuff I’m forgetting.

[dabateman]

Follow this guide and try the free software first. But use a full spectrum camera, not a web camera and use 1000 line per mm grating from Israel, not a CD

 

https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Low-Cost-Spectrometer/

 

Calibrate it using a compact fluorescent light bulb with the Mercury lines.

 

This is a simple description of diffraction gratings:

https://www.toppr.com/guides/physics-formulas/diffraction-grating-formula/

[Fandyus]

Follow this guide and try the free software first. But use a full spectrum camera, not a web camera and use 1000 line per mm grating from Israel, not a CD

 

https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Low-Cost-Spectrometer/

 

Calibrate it using a compact fluorescent light bulb with the Mercury lines.

 

This is a simple description of diffraction gratings:

https://www.toppr.com/guides/physics-formulas/diffraction-grating-formula/

Thanks but I'm really not looking to build a spectrometer. I really just was wondering how good the tools are linked are and what different lines/mm configurations of diffraction gratings mean for someone like me.

[dabateman]

Well with the first link you only get the grating. So if you do buy it, you will have to follow my first link to get it to work.

 

You may just want Colin's link. There is a cheaper one available, but you would have to align it yourself.

 

[Andrea B.]

Did you look at Dmitry's work with the Jeweler's Spectroscope?

Lens Spectra with Jeweler's Spectroscope by Dmitry

 

The link to the spectroscope vendor no longer works, but it was Chinese. And we got a lot of useful information about lenses from Dmitry's work. So you might want to look for current Jeweler's Spectroscope sales and consider trying one.