Modern Optics and Laser Equipment for Physics Laboratories

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The project introduces into the physics laboratories three versatile laser systems, with electronic instrumentation and quality optical components. The equipment (i) familiarizes intermediate lab students with important aspects of laser light; (ii) permits advanced lab students to perform significant experiments in modern physics using lasers as research tools; (iii) facilitates the teaching of modern optics principles and experimental techniques; and (iv) greatly expands the possibilities for senior thesis research in optics. A tunable dye laser pumped by an argon ion laser permits new lab experiments in nonlinear optics and Raman scattering, while revitalizing several current labs. A diode laser system is used in spectroscopy and studies of diode behavior. Polarization components that comprise a high quality ellipsometer facilitate a variety of experiments in the optics of thin films and scattering. Senior research on chaos in diode lasers and scattering from fiber-coupling spheres is expected to yield important results of publishable quality. The college is matching the award with an equal amount.