Implementation of Design/Research Course in Lasers and Optics

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The main purpose of this project is to introduce research expertise to undergraduates through a design/research laboratory course. The design/research laboratory in which a broad-based, hands-on approach is taken enables the students to teach themselves either traditional or fiber optics systems, optoelectronics and Gaussian beams, or lasers and quantum electronics. The intention is to motivate students to continue in this new technology focussing on topics that intrigue them. A prototype with a minimum of equipment is currently in operation. Equipment to develop a full-scale laboratory from this prototype is provided. This development would double the size of existing facilities and student-handling capabilities. The key feature of the laboratory is the addition of an argon/dye laser and an optical multichannel analyzer which dramatically increases the substance of the experiments performed by the students. By operating year round (2 semesters and summer) at full implementation, the new laboratory can accommodate 100 students.