Building a Low-Cost Diode-Array Spectrophotometer
Author Information
Author(s): Ivo M. Raimundo, Jr., Celio Pasquini
Primary Institution: Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Hypothesis
Can a low-cost diode-array spectrophotometer be effectively built for analytical applications?
Conclusion
The developed spectrophotometer shows improved signal-to-noise ratio and is suitable for various analytical techniques.
Supporting Evidence
- The spectrophotometer can store up to seven spectra in RAM.
- Variable integration times were used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
- The estimated resolution of the instrument is about 1.5 nm.
- Calibration was performed using standard solutions to ensure accuracy.
- The software allows for easy data processing and spectral analysis.
Takeaway
This study shows how to make a simple and cheap device that can measure colors in liquids really fast, which helps scientists do their work better.
Methodology
The spectrophotometer was built using a photodiode array and controlled by a microcomputer, with data processed to recover spectral information.
Limitations
The instrument's resolution decreases with smoothing procedures, and it may not be suitable for all types of analyses.
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