Method and apparatus for compact spectrometer for multipoint sampling of an object

A method of identifying an agent in a sample, comprising the steps of:

• (a) illuminating the sample with photons emanating from a portable device to thereby produce Raman-scattered photons from a first set of multiple points in the sample wherein the points of said first set of multiple points have a defined geometric relationship;
• (b) simultaneously analyzing the Raman-scattered photons from said first set of multiple points in the sample using the portable device;
• and
• (c) comparing the Raman-scattered photons from said first set of multiple points in the sample with a known Raman scattering characteristic of the agent.

A method of assessing viability of an agent in a sample, comprising the steps of:

• (a) illuminating the sample with photons emanating from a portable device to thereby produce Raman-scattered photons from a first set of multiple points in the sample wherein the points of said first set of multiple points have a defined geometric relationship;
• (b) simultaneously analyzing the Raman-scattered photons from said first set of multiple points in the sample using the portable device;
• and
• (c) comparing the Raman-scattered photons from said first set of multiple points in the sample with a known Raman scattering characteristic of a viable or nonviable form of the agent.

A portable device for identifying an agent in a sample, comprising:

• (a) a portable device for illuminating the sample with photons to thereby produce Raman-scattered photons from a first set of multiple points in the sample wherein the points of said first set of multiple points have a defined geometric relationship;
• (b) means for simultaneously analyzing the Raman-scattered photons from said first set of multiple points in the sample using the portable device wherein said Raman-scattered photons are characteristic of the presence or absence of the agent in the sample;
• and
• (c) means for comparing the Raman-scattered photons from said first set of multiple points in the sample with a known Raman scattering characteristic of the agent.

A portable device for assessing viability of an agent in a sample, comprising:

• (a) a portable device for illuminating the sample with photons to thereby produce Raman-scattered photons from a first set of multiple points in the sample wherein the points of said first set of multiple points have a defined geometric relationship;
• (b) means for simultaneously analyzing the Raman-scattered photons from said first set of multiple points in the sample using the portable device wherein said Raman-scattered photons are characteristic of the presence or absence of the agent in the sample;
• and
• (c) means for comparing the Raman-scattered photons from said first set of multiple points in the sample with a known Raman scattering characteristic of a viable or nonviable form of the agent.