Abstract: A hand-held material identification apparatus 10 uses a spectrograph and detector array detecting a Raman spectrum produced by a sample illuminated by a laser source to recognize a variety of materials with a command to recognition time cycle of about one second or less. The width of the spectrum detected by each detector in the array is less than ¼th the excitation source wavelength deviation to permit smoothing of the spectrum detected by the discrete spectral elements to eliminate pixel noise without loss of Raman spectral information. The Raman spectra are produced by materials illuminated by an inexpensive near-infrared multimode laser operated in a pulse mode to deliver between 0.05 and 0.5 joules of photon energy, with the Raman spectra being detected before any significant heating of the sample occurs.