Modern Optics Instructional Equipment for Undergraduates in Physics

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This project is expanding the instructional equipment associated with an intermediate optics laboratory for junior and senior physics majors at Pennsylvania State University. New experiments are being introduced that employ modern optical tools for quantitative measurement, replacing a number of the more traditional experiments which have relied on visual observation of interference/diffraction patterns. For the most part, the experiments apply multichannel detection to perform unique experiments in polarimetry and spectroscopy, with the intent to demonstrate the fundamental principles of optics and to convey the excitement of research at the forefront of optical physics. The principles and concepts demonstrated in the laboratory include the interaction of light with matter: the Fresnel equations, reflectance, transmittance, dispersion, absorption, dieletric functions, birefringence, optical activity, thin film interference, multilayer films, and diffraction gratings. The laboratories are teaching one- and two-dimensional Fourier analysis, coordinate transformations, matrix manipulations, Jones and Stokes vector treatments of polarized light, and Muller and Jones matrix representation of optical elements, including polarizers and retarders. This complements selected traditional experiments which are retained in interference and diffraction.NSF grant funds are being matched with funds from non-federal sources.