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M2-01. Laser Diffraction - Pinholes

Purpose

To demonstrate laser diffraction by pinholes.

Equipment

Laser cart with mounted pinholes.

Images

m2-01

Description

A series of pinholes is mounted on a slide which can be moved across the laser beam on a cross-carriage. Pinhole sizes include: 1.0mm, 0.8mm, 0.6mm, 0.4mm, 0.2mm, and 0.1mm. The pattern can generally be seen in the lecture hall without aid of a magnifying lens by backing the cart as far as possible away from the screen in front of the hall. For display on the small screen on the cart optical rail a spherical lens can be used if necessary.

References

David Dutton, M Parker Givens, and Robert E. Hopkins, Some Demonstration Experiments in Optics Using a Gas Laser,◙Spectra-physics Laser Technical Bulletin, (1963). ◙Paul A. Young, A Student Experiment in Fresnel Diffraction, AJP 32, 367-369, (1964). ◙David Dutton, M. Parker Givens and Robert E. Hopkins, Some Demonstration Experiments in Optics Using a Gas Laser, AJP 32,◙355-361, (1964). ◙Haven Whiteside, Laser Optics Experiments and Demonstrations, AJP 33, 487-492, (1965). ◙Roy H. Biser, Modern Methods for the Study of Optical Diffraction, TPT 7, 158-161, (1969). ◙Roger Bernard, Interference o