Grating-Based Spectrometer for Fluorescent Sample Analysis

Overview

The team designed and assembled a custom grating spectrometer to separate and measure visible fluorescence. My work centered on the optical calculations that connected the target wavelength range to the grating geometry, angular dispersion, detector sampling, and alignment plan. I then led the primary optical setup and alignment needed to turn the design into a working instrument.

Approach

1. 01

   Selected the grating orientation from the target wavelength range and diffraction order, then calculated angular dispersion and the expected spectral footprint at the detector.

2. 02

   Converted the first-order design into an optical bench layout with practical slit, collimation, grating, and imaging distances for the available components.

3. 03

   Aligned the system iteratively using known spectral features, then evaluated the measured line separation to characterize resolving power and identify the dominant limits.