PASCO AP-8586 Laser Speed of Light Apparatus - Manual (Page 7)

Laser Speed of Light System Model No. AP-8586
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3. Arrange the laser, lens, receiver and two component carriers on the
laser alignment bench (Figure 3).
4. Place the alignment bench on a horizontal surface. You will need
10 to 20 m of clear space in front of the laser.
5. Mount the mirror on the tripod and place it a few meters in front of
the laser. Adjust the tripod so that the mirror is at the same height
as the laser. (see Figure 3 for the setup.)
6. Mark the position of the mirror on the floor with tape. (Attach a
plumb bob to the tripod, so that you mark a point directly below the
mirror.
7. With tape, mark the floor at regular intervals to about 10-20 meters
from the laser. Allow for at least 10 different intervals within the
allotted space.
8. Using the BNC male-to-male cable, connect the TTL output of the
function generator to channel 1 of the oscilloscope.
9. Using the RCA male-to-BNC male cable, connect the “Video”
output of the receiver to channel 2 of the oscilloscope.
10. Using the phone plug-to-BNC male cable, connect the power jack
of the laser to the output of the function generator.
11. Set the function generator for a square wave, and press the DC
Offset button. Turn the Output and DC Offset knobs completely
counterclockwise.
12. Turn the laser switch to the “on” position.
13. On the function generator, turn up the DC Offset knob until you
see laser light. Do not look directly into the laser light!
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Figure 3: Aligning the lens, carriers,
and receiver with the laser