Digital laser Raman spectrometer system with on-line computer control of data acquisition and reduction

An interface for coupling a laser Raman spectrometer employing photon counting detection to an on-line programmable calculator or minicomputer is described. The resulting system provides both background and spectral data in digital form that allows data manipulation to be easily performed. In addition online computer control allows the enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio by signal averaging. The spectrum of gaseous N(2) and O(2) taken with the system illustrates the capability of the interface and computer when coupled with the spectrometer to make precise and sensitive measurements.