The CD Spectroscope

Abstract

This chapter describes how one can use CD or DVD compact disks to see and record spectra and their emission and absorption lines. To see these spectra, all you need is a CD, while to record these spectra, a 35 mm camera or equivalent is all that is required. Moreover, while some simple modifications and use of other equipment is suggested, none are absolutely necessary. So, arguably, the CD spectroscope has to be both the simplest and cheapest spectroscope one will ever come across. Using a CD and indeed using other common objects as inexpensive gratings is nothing new and has been reported before (Hecht, 1974; Gavin, 1997; Schwabacher, 1999), yet the CD’s use as a simple inexpensive but useful spectroscope still remains relatively unknown.