CD Spectroscope in a Box, Spectrograph

While many others have done this project, I worked at optimizing the view angles and publishing these. CD Spectrograph in a Box is a simple educational one evening project. Everything you need to know should be evident in this one photo, but following steps give space for commentary. Note: a spectroscope is to view spectra, a spectrograph is a recorded image (photo) from a spectroscope, a spectrometer measures spectral wavelengths.
Check out DoWatts DVD Spectra instructable.

Step 1 Supplies

*Masking tape or duct tape. Duct tape is better to keep light out from cracks. Otherwise,use a black felt marker on tape to keep all stray light out of box.

*Single edge rasors or a breakable thin rasor blade work well. For a children's safety version, use the opposite edges of a credit card cut in half. It will save you a lot of money!

*The LED's are fun to observe as is a compact flourescent light. The laser pointer is dangerous and should be used with care and only to illuminate a translucent plastic bag covering the slit.

• Any CD that you don't mind damaging

Comments

[iLikeCoolStuf]

wtf is an spectroscope

[must invent]

look up in wikipedia

[Jim_teacher]

Is it possible to get a photo of what this thing does? Or does the spectra appear on the inside of the box? i'm totally confused, was looking for cool lamp type things... maybe it could be modified to cast a spectra on a wall as in a night-light? Hey thanks!

[masonrulz]

i got some pics:P didi make ir right? is this how the spectras supposed to look?

[jeandeau]

Beauty!  Yes that is how they are supposed to look.  I am very impressed by the photo.  I posted a reply on the spectroscope in a box comment string

[jeandeau]

Great photos! Excellent contribution!  The five strong separated bands of color from red to violet suggest to me, you used a CFC lightbulb as a source of illumination. Is that correct?  I am curious to see a photo of your spectroscope.  You may be entertained to see the spectra emitted by Lexus HID headlamps.  They emit a large multitude of distinct color lines.   This indicates a lot of research and selection of a variety of chemical selected to flouresce in the gas mixture.  These may change as they warm up.

[masonrulz]

here are the images of my spectrograph

[jeandeau]

Thanks, good show.  The alum foil is excellent for blocking out light.

[masonrulz]

thank you very much:D

PS: the jiantpatch of foil on the back is because i cut the hole in the wrong area first XD

[masonrulz]

thanks:D ill put up a photo of it in like 5 mins

[jeandeau]

great idea on the photo; I'll see if I can do that and add it. Yes, the spectra appears inside the box when viewed through the viewport (the shield part added on top). Light source may be a diffuse source such as a lightbulb or cloudy sky, position box so light shines through the opening on the top left of the box in the direction shown by the lines drawn on the box shown in this instructable. build the box and you will find it easy and fast to find the position to hold it. Obviously the light shines on the CD placed as shown in the instructable. If light is from a point source such as the sun or a LED, you may wish to put wax paper or white plastic bag over the slit opening to diffuse the light. This makes viewing a little easier. If a bulb is placed at the slit and a converging lens is placed just over one focal length from the CD and in the same direction as shown on the side of the box, you will have a spectrograph projector. Do check out DVD Spectra. It's easy and fantastic. I've done it.

[Kiteman]

That's it? Wow.

_{Spectroscope climbs up to-do list.}

[joejoerowley]

Cool! Great Instructable! Thanks Joe