In the labyrinth of our laboratory, where scientific discovery and innovation reign supreme, there was a steadfast companion: the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer. It served us faithfully, illuminating the intricacies of molecular structures and empowering our research with precision and reliability. Yet, within just six months of its acquisition, our trusted ally faltered. A few rogue drops of water from a leaking air conditioner sent the humidity levels into chaos, wreaking havoc on the delicate beam splitter.

The cost of replacing the beam splitter soared to nearly 40% of the instrument's original price—a staggering expense that left us bewildered. To add salt to the wound, the manufacturer declined to honor the warranty, citing a color-changing humidity sensor as proof that conditions were unmet. The spectrometer, a marvel of modern technology, was on the brink of obsolescence due to a minor fault that a simple repair could have remedied.

This ordeal underscored a vital truth: the right to repair is fundamental. It's about regaining control over our devices, preventing unnecessary waste, and ensuring that cutting-edge instruments like our spectrometer can continue to serve their purpose without being sidelined by trivial issues.

Introducing JASPER: Just Another SPEctrometeR? Not Quite. Right to Repair Included. With Jasper, we champion the right to repair, empowering users to maintain and extend the life of their instruments with ease. No more navigating the treacherous waters of warranties and manufacturer restrictions. Jasper is here to revolutionize the landscape of scientific instruments, embodying resilience, accessibility, and sustainability.

Well, when we started our exploration a few years back, the spectrometers looked simple. However, after all these years, we realized that we have just scratched the surface. Converting a proof of concept into a successful product takes a lot of effort and money. No wonder existing products cost a lot to buy and maintain. We have experimented with many spectrometers and have prototypes of FTIR, mid-infrared filter wheel-based spectrometers with an ATR, a grating-based VIS-NIR spectrometer, and a Raman Spectrometer. Will we succeed with our products? It is indeed a tough journey, and even if we fail, we don’t want to lose the knowledge, so we are posting our developments here.

Embarking on this journey, we knew the path would be fraught with challenges and discoveries alike. Our dedication has led us to push the boundaries of spectrometer technology, consistently iterating and refining our designs. Each prototype represents countless hours of research, experimentation, and learning. The culmination of our work isn't just a product but a testament to our commitment to advancing scientific inquiry. As we share our progress, we invite you to join us in this quest, celebrate our successes, and learn from our setbacks. Together, we can transform the future of spectroscopy, making it more accessible, sustainable, and resilient. Your engagement and feedback are invaluable as we navigate this complex yet exhilarating landscape.

Product Plan:

1. FTIR Spectrometer: Designed for precise molecular analysis.
2. Mid-Infrared Filter Wheel-Based Spectrometer with ATR: Customizable for specific wavelengths
3. Grating-Based VIS-NIR Spectrometer: Flexible and customizable for diverse spectral ranges and resolutions.
4. Raman Spectrometer: Advanced capabilities for material property analysis.
5. TEC cooled laser mount: TEC Driver and laser driver 
6. Linear Stage: Micrometer-level movements

We have a lot of modules to build first, such as the Peliter-cooled module for the laser and the voice coil-based linear stage for the FTIR. These modules will be our initial focus to ensure the foundation of our innovative spectrometers is solid.

Each step we take is a testament to our vision of a future where scientific instruments are not only cutting-edge but also user-friendly and repairable. We are committed to making spectroscopy more accessible and sustainable, one innovation at a time. Open source is definitely under consideration…Stay tuned….Follow us on Hackaday https://hackaday.io/list/202420-jasper-spectrometers-built-for-right-to-repair

FTIR: https://hackaday.io/project/202423-japser-ftir

Grating Spectrometer: https://hackaday.io/project/202421-jasper-vis-nir-spectrometer

TEC Cooler : https://hackaday.io/project/202422-jasper-peltier-cooler-for-lasers