An Inexpensive Raman, Spectroscopy Setup for Raman, Polarized Raman, and Surface Enhanced Raman, Spectroscopy

Abstract: We present a simple and inexpensive lab-built Raman spectroscopy setup. In the setup a low-cost laser diode is used as an excitation source, the dichroic mirror used in usual Raman spectroscopy is replaced by a silver coated mirror with a hole in its center. In place of expensive notch filter, a long pass filter is used in the setup. This lab-built setup shows good performance towards Raman spectroscopy, polarized Raman spectroscopy, and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Three demonstrations: (i) identification of Raman signature of individual molecules Acetaminophen and Mefenamic acid in their mixture, (ii) polarized Raman spectroscopy of liquid cyclohexane, and (iii) SERS spectroscopy of Rhodamine B dye with Au spherical nanoparticle, small Au nanorod, and large Au nanorod are presented using this inexpensive lab-built Raman spectroscopy setup. The cost-effectiveness and performance of the simple lab-built setup makes it suitable for the research and undergraduate laboratories.