A small size, robust stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) spectrophotometer system for industrial, medical and field use, exhibiting high SNR, high resolution and very short acquisition times. The architecture of the system allowing for such features comprises three main elements: (1). Use of a narrow range tunable pump laser and an array of fixed wavelength lasers to produce the wavelength differences as required to generate the SRS (Raman) spectrum (2). Application of analog signal processing, prior to the digital conversion, in order to obtain higher resolution and SNR (3). Use of relatively inaccurate or unstable laser sources coupled to calibration samples, followed by various calibration methods to compensate for system instabilities, such as wavelength drift, laser inaccuracies, and variations in the optical components/elements of the system.
