Abstract
<jats:p>This study details the conversion of a decommissioned conventional optical microscope into an operational micro-Raman spectroscopy system. Through the integration of modular laser excitation and high-sensitivity detection components, we illustrate how repurposing legacy laboratory equipment is a viable strategy for achieving technological sovereignty. To validate the instrument's analytical performance, we applied it to the environmental screening of microplastics, successfully characterizing four standard polymers: Polystyrene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyethylene, and Polypropylene. Despite a compromise in spectral resolution, the custom-built system accurately resolved the distinctive vibrational fingerprints of each polymer, demonstrating high spectral fidelity and correlation with reference databases. This cost-effective methodology promotes the democratization of scientific research by providing access to sophisticated molecular analysis without the burden of high capital investments. Ultimately, this work presents a sustainable model that successfully transforms obsolete instruments into foundational, adaptable tools for modern scientific inquiry.</jats:p>