Comprehensive Laser Optics Demonstration Kit
by United Scientific

With 51 ray optics demonstrations and 27 interference and diffraction experiments, this laser optics kit is a must have for any advanced physics laboratory. Consisting of a base unit with a built-in He-Ne (Helium-Neon) laser, a deflection system with a ray optics board, 3 magnetic base supports, a mechanical stage for wave optics experiments and an accessory case that holds 30 optical quality glass components mounted on carriers. It comes complete with a fitted metal carrying case that is capable of accommodating the base unit, the accessory case and the full operator’s manual.

The He-Ne laser sits on the left side of the base, and is diverted upwards. A removable cylindrical lens at the top of the base can be used to fan out the beam for ray optics demonstrations. A series of five graded and partially silvered mirrors attaches to the optics board just above the laser, and are capable of generating a series of five equally intense beams. Not only is the mirror case adjustable horizontally and vertically to position the ray bundle on the optics boards, but each of the five mirrors within it can be adjusted independently of each other to allow for direct demonstrations or for generating a single beam.

A 360° graduated table sits flush at the center of the ray optics board, and is capable of being rotated by a knob that protrudes from the back of the board. Centered in the middle of the table is a recessed magnet that will hold any optical elements in place by means of the chrome-plated steel carrier rod that each element is mounted to. Included in the optical elements are concave and convex lenses, plane, spherical and angled mirrors, blocks and prisms, and some simple optical instruments. Also included is a fiber optics demonstrator.

When it comes to wave optics experiments, the magnetic base supports attach to the top of the unit to carry lenses and a polarizer, as well as an air wedge and both Fresnel’s bi-prism and mirror. For other diffraction and interference arrangements, a mechanical stage gets attached to the optics board on the opposite side from the laser, and is capable of supporting and adjusting three separate diaphragms with 34 different diffraction and interference apertures and obstacles. The diaphragms themselves are mounted onto glass plates with an evaporated aluminum film, which gives them excellent contrast in images. An additional film diaphragm is included, and carries another nine more complex diffraction objects. While most of the interference and diffraction experiments can be seen in a standard lighted room, some of the more extended patterns and diffractions that use very small apertures will require a darkened room.

The laser is a Class III laser, with a max output power of <5mW and a wavelength of 632nm.