Journal of Laboratory Chemical Education 2022, 10(3): 54-58

DOI: 10.5923/j.jlce.20221003.02

Preparation of a Simple CD or DVD Spectroscope

Veljko Dragojlovic

Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University, 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL, USA

Abstract In an introductory chemistry class for non-majors, we have successfully used a simple CD or DVD-based
transmission spectroscope. Manufacture of spectroscope was simple, took very little time, and required only a CD or DVD
disk, a disk envelope and simple tools and supplies. Student-made spectroscope provided spectra of satisfactory quality for an
introductory chemistry class.
Keywords High school/introductory chemistry, Laboratories and demonstrations, Hands on learning, Spectroscopy

immediate purpose of each operation and don’t know what

1. Introduction the end product is supposed to look like, even if they have
seen a previously prepared instrument. Finally, there is a
Spectroscopy is a common exercise usually introduced in possibility that a student may suffer minor cuts or other
an introductory chemistry course as a part of the study of similar injuries when using scissors, various cutters and
the structure of an atom. It is an interesting and exciting other tools. That is present in almost any preparation but
exercise for students new to science. The beauty of increases with the increased complexity of the instrument
observed spectra stimulates students’ curiosity and is a good that is being made.
introduction to the Bohr model. A basic instrument for visible spectroscopy consists of a
Commercial teaching spectroscopes are available. light source, a dispersing device and a detector. Light
However, even though simple spectroscopes are relatively sources in this exercise were various gas discharge tubes,
inexpensive, there is still cost involved. Resolution offered light bulbs and the light of the full Moon. In a typical
by such instruments is not needed in a chemistry course for spectroscope, dispersing device is either a prism or a
non-majors. Furthermore, as the enrollment fluctuates there diffraction grating. Diffraction gratings are more commonly
is either a need to purchase new ones or find space to store used and they may be reflection or transmission gratings.
excess of the existing ones. One solution is the use of CDs and DVDs have reflective coating and are reflection
inexpensive student-made instruments that students take diffraction gratings. Student-made spectroscopes that utilize
with them after the class or laboratory exercise is over. DVD as reflection grating were described [7,9]. If the
Student-made inexpensive spectroscopes have been in use coating is removed, CDs and DVDs are converted to
for a long time. Methods for student-made spectroscopes transmission gratings. A detector may be the eye of the
date to as early as 1930 [1]. Numerous methods for making observer, or a camera if a permanent record is needed.
them have been published since [2-10] and a smartphone We wanted to keep the design and manufacture of a
application utilizing the camera to calibrate the spectroscope spectroscope as simple as possible. Of course, quality comes
was recently reported [11]. All of them require some skill, or with a cost and one should not expect that a simple
at least careful work, to prepare. That takes away from the spectroscope, such as the one described here, to have the
lab time that could be used more productively in acquiring, same resolution as commercially available spectroscopes.
analysis and discussion of the spectra. As complexity of Nevertheless, the resolution was similar that of the least
manufacture of a spectroscope increases, however slightly, expensive commercial models on the market. Our goal was
there is an increased possibility that a student will make an to make the simplest spectroscope, which still provides
error and will have to repeat the preparation. For example, satisfactory spectra for use in the classroom and laboratory
some of the reported procedures require cutting of a DVD instruction.
into smaller pieces. In our hands that resulted in cracks that
spread across the surface and rendered most or all of it
unusable. Furthermore, students do not understand 2. Experimental
* Corresponding author: 2.1. Materials and Supplies
vdragojl@fau.edu (Veljko Dragojlovic)
Received: Oct. 5, 2022; Accepted: Oct. 28, 2022; Published: Nov. 14, 2022 In our class each student prepared one spectroscope.
Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/jlce Therefore, each student needed one CD, one DVD and one
 Journal of Laboratory Chemical Education 2022, 10(3): 54-58 55

CD envelope for them. We obtained better results with black

envelopes, which must be made by students. It is a good idea
to have some commercially available white envelopes as
templates and black paper for students to make envelopes.
Tools that are needed are scissors, ruler and utility knife.
Supplies necessary for this exercise are black paper and glue
or tape, if black envelopes are being made, and adhesive
tape.

2.2. CD Spectroscope A B
Figure 2. Preparation of a DVD spectroscope. A. Insert a utility knife
To convert a CD into a transmission diffraction grating,
between the two polycarbonate sheets and force them apart. B Use an
one has to remove its reflective label. This was accomplished adhesive tape to lift the foil off
by first scoring the label with a utility knife and then using an
adhesive tape to lift it off (Figure 1A-C). It is enough to 2.4. Experimental Set-Up
remove only the part of the label that will show through the
Experimental set-up is shown in Figure 3. It the light
cutout window to have a usable spectroscope. Next, 10 mm x
source is a discharge tube or a distant object such as the
35 mm rectangle was cut out of a side of the CD envelope
Moon or a distant light bulb, a slit is not necessary. It is
(Figure 1D). For better results, one can prepare an envelope
needed only for close large light sources (vide infra, Figure
form a black paper. After inserting CD into the envelope, it is
8). All components, light source with or without a slit,
a good idea to cut out the center (Figure 1E). Spectroscope is
DVD/CD and eye or a camera lens should be aligned. They
now ready to use.
are aligned if the light source is visible through the center
hole of the CD/DVD. Then the spectrum is visible in the
cut-out rectangle (Figure 3). A slit can be taped to the light
source. Usually, students held DVD/CD in one hand and
phone in the other. For a hands-free operation, for example if
a camera connected to a PC is used to photograph spectra,
envelope containing DVD/CD and camera can each be
A B C clamped to a stand.

D E
Figure 1. Preparation of a CD spectroscope. A. Score the label with a
Figure 3. Experimental set-up. A. Light source. B. If a light source is close
utility knife. B. and C. Use an adhesive tape to lift the label off. D. Cut out
to the CD/DVD and relatively large, it should be covered with a slit. C. DVD
1.0 cm x 3.5 cm rectangle out of a CD envelope. E. After inserting CD into
or CD disk prepared as described above. D. Students used their phones to
the envelope, it is a good idea to cut out the center
photograph the spectrum

2.3. DVD Spectroscope Spectra can be seen in a room with lights tuned off
Preparation of a DVD spectroscope was more involved. and with ambient light still present. For good quality
Some DVDs were not suitable for preparation of a photographs, spectra should be taken in a dark room and
spectroscope and one may need to try several models. DVD closed window blinds. That reduces contamination from
has a printed label, which cannot be removed. In addition, sunlight or room light. Spectra of distant objects should be
the reflective metallic layer is sandwiched between the taken at night. In our class, students took spectra of distant
two polycarbonate disks. Therefore, the two polycarbonate objects as a homework and included them in their laboratory
sheets must be separated by inserting a utility knife between reports.
them and forcing them apart (Figure 2A). The disk with the
printed top is discarded and the metallic foil is removed from 2.5. Recording Spectra
the bottom disk by lifting it up with an adhesive tape as Spectrum can be photographed with a camera in the
described before (Figure 2B). place of an eye. If a camera is used the light source may
56 Veljko Dragojlovic: Preparation of a Simple CD or DVD Spectroscope

overexpose the photograph. Intensity of the light source can Spectra obtained by both CD and DVD spectroscopes
be attenuated by using semi-transparent tracing paper, were satisfactory. Comparison of spectrum of hydrogen
applying multiple layers if necessary, to cover the center hole photographed through the CD and DVD spectroscopes
(Figure 4). Simple design allows for an easy exchange and described here and a commercially available spectroscope is
comparison of a CD and DVD diffraction gratings. shown in Figure 5.

3.3. Various Emission Spectra Observed through

CD/DVD Spectroscope
Various discharge tubes, observed from distance of
about one meter provided good quality spectra (Figure 6).
In general, it was better to observe spectra with a naked
eye. One can see more lines and the contrast is better.
Higher resolution and better optical properties of a DVD
spectroscope were obvious. For example, with a DVD
Figure 4. Intensity of the light source can be attenuated by using tracing spectroscope one can clearly see four Balmer lines of
paper to cover the center hole
hydrogen, while with a CD spectroscope most student
reported three and were able to make out the fourth only
3. Results and Discussion when told to look for it. Students should notice that spectra of
hydrogen (protium) and deuterium appear to be identical.
3.1. Hazards There is a slight shift in wavelengths in the spectrum of
Some discharge tubes, such as mercury lamps, exhibit deuterium which is not noticeable when using an ordinary
strong emission in the ultraviolet region. Do not look spectroscope. Spectra of helium exhibited numerous ghost
directly at a mercury lamp – eye damage may result. Use a lines. It should be pointed out to students that dimmer lines
screen made of tracing paper. Do not look directly at the next to yellow and purple lines are ghost lines and are not a
Sun – eye damage may result, even with use of a filter. A part of the spectrum of helium. Spectrum of iodine contains
safe way to observe such spectrum is to observe spectrum multiple closely spaced lines that cannot be resolved by this
of the Moon, which is reflected sunlight. spectrometer and it appears as a continuous spectrum.

3.2. Comparison of Different Spectroscopes

DVD spectroscope has a higher resolution compared to a
CD spectroscope. Diffraction grating obtained from a DVD
has about 1350 lines/mm, while that from a CD 625
lines/mm [7]. DVD spectroscopes are also expected to
exhibit better optical properties. While polycarbonate has
similar optical properties to glass, it exhibits some
absorption in the violet part of the visible spectrum. Since
half of the DVD is removed in the course of the preparation
of the spectroscope, diffraction grating will have
approximately half the thickness of the grating obtained
from a CD and would absorb less of the violet part of the
spectrum.

Figure 6. Emission spectra of discharge tubes from the top: hydrogen,

deuterium, helium, mercury and iodine. Spectra photographed through a CD
A
spectroscope are on the left and those photographed thorough a DVD
spectroscope are on the right

In some cases, presence of an intense emission line

B overexposed the camera and more faint lines were not visible.
Furthermore, cameras may not be equally sensitive to all
colors of the visible spectrum. For a laboratory report,
students took photographs. Some were surprised that they
C were not able to see all the lines in the photographs. An
example is spectrum of helium photographed through a
Figure 5. Photograph of emission spectrum of hydrogen taken A. CD
spectroscope, B. DVD spectroscope and C. Commercially available DVD spectroscope. Red emission line did not appear in the
spectroscope (Winsco Model 125) original photograph and a faint line was visible only after
 Journal of Laboratory Chemical Education 2022, 10(3): 54-58 57

some processing with a photo editing program. As the slit can be relatively large, it is easier for students to
make it compared to small instrument slits that need to be cut
with greater precision.
With this set up students were able to observe and
photograph emission spectra of various light bulbs (Figure
Figure 7. Photograph of emission spectrum of helium before processing 10). Students can compare continuous spectra produced by
(left) and after (right)
an incandescent light bulb to that of the Sun. Fraunhofer
One drawback of this spectrometer is that, unlike lines are present only in the Sun’s spectrum. Emission
commercial spectrometers, diffraction grating is curved. spectra of the Sun and an incandescent light bulb are
Thus, additional care must be taken when performing any examples of continuous spectra while spectrum of a
quantitative exercises such as calculation of Rydberg fluorescent light bulb is an example of a line spectrum.
constant or calibrating the instrument and determining Mercury lines were easily identifiable in the line spectrum
individual wavelengths. Measurements must be taken generated by a compact fluorescent light bulb.
exactly along the radius of the disk.
Distant light sources were convenient for this exercise
since their apparent size is small enough that there is no need
for a spectroscope with a slit. An example is spectrum of the
Moon. Spectrum below was taken during the full Moon.
However, if the environment is dark enough, spectrum can
be taken during almost any phase of the Moon. Envelope
with CD/DVD was held in the left hand so that the Moon is
visible in the center hole. Spectrum is visible in the
rectangular cutout and can be photographed (Figure 8). As
the Moon reflects sunlight, this is a safe way to observe
spectrum of the Sun. If it is dark enough, students with good
eyesight can notice a few of the Fraunhofer lines. The easiest Figure 10. Spectrum of a light bulb viewed through the spectroscope (top).
to notice are red line of hydrogen, yellow line of sodium and Emission spectrum of an incandescent light bulb is shown in the middle and
two or three lines in the blue/violet part of the spectrum. a compact fluorescent light bulb at the bottom. Spectra photographed
through a CD are on the left and those photographed thorough a DVD are on
the right

3.4. Absorption Spectra

The absorption spectrum of a substance is obtained by
passing light with a continuous spectrum through a substance.
An example is absorption spectrum of GE Reveal 60 light
bulb shown below (Figure 11). The hot tungsten filament of
the light bulb emits a continuous spectrum of visible light.
The glass of the GE Reveal 60 lightbulb contains
Figure 8. Spectrum of the Moon viewed through the spectroscope (top). neodymium oxide, Nd2O3, which absorbs light and creates
Enlarged spectra obtained through CD (left) and DVD (right) are shown the absorption bands in the spectrum. The absorption bands
below in this case are broad bands due to electron transitions in
molecule, as opposed to discrete lines due to electron
transitions in the atoms of a gas. Fraunhofer lines in the
spectrum of the Moon is an example of the line absorption
spectrum (Figure 8).

Figure 11. Spectrum of GE Reveal 60 lightbulb. Note absorption bands in

the yellow part of the spectrum

Figure 9. When observing spectrum of a light bulb, one can place a slit on
the object itself 4. Conclusions
For larger objects, such as light bulbs, that are relatively An inexpensive spectroscope that is easily prepared has
close one can place a slit on the object itself (Figure 9). been constructed and incorporated into a laboratory exercise.
58 Veljko Dragojlovic: Preparation of a Simple CD or DVD Spectroscope

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