What a cutie pie! No, I’m not referring to Captain Kirk, even though he has many female fans who think so. Or Mr. Scott. Or Dr. McCoy.  Not even (gasp!) Mr. Spock.  Look carefully at the next two photos to see more examples of a cutie pie.

Here is Mr. Scott scanning Geological Technician Fisher with one.

And Mr. Spock used one while wearing his fancy protective gear in “The Naked Time.”   The instrument itself is never given a specific name in any episode, although some Star Trek prop enthusiasts call it a "Spectrum Analyzer." (In "The Naked Time" Mr. Spock reports that he had done a spectral analysis while he was on Psi 2000.) 

In this scene from “The Doomsday Machine,” we see Lt. Elliot scanning the corridor of the Constellation with the same machine and reporting that radiation levels are normal

In “Obsession,"  a security officer points one toward Garrovick’s cabin door, but it is unclear what he is using it for here. Because in the next instant, Captain Kirk tells him to stand back and asks for a tricorder instead which seems odd since it has been established this “spectrum analyzer” can scan for radiation. Actually, according to Memory Alpha and a few other Trek reference sources, this device can also be described as a heavy duty tricorder. So it’s a heavy duty tricorder also known as a Spectrum Analyzer. Or vice versa. But...  What does the term “cutie pie” have to do with any of this? 

What you are looking at is a 1957-60 version of a “Cutie Pie.” Its full name was a Nuclear-Chicago Model 2586 radiation survey meter but was given its nickname because of its size. Desilu’s prop department only needed to remove the metal legs and the logo, then paint the handle, the barrel and one knob orange. Voila! You now have a 23rd century Starfleet Spectrum Analyzer.