PASCO OS-8500 INTRODUCTORY OPTICS SYSTEM - Manual (Page 10)

Introductory Optics System 012-02744K
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DIFFRACTION PLA
TE
A B C D E
DIFFRACTION PLA
TE
J I H G F
Diffraction Scale
Figure 8: Setting Up a Diffraction Experiment
Ray Table Base
Figure 6: Using the Component Holders
Lens or Mirror
Polarizer
Variable Aperture
Convex Side
Concave Side
Figure 7:
The Spherical Mirror
Slit Mask: to isolate a
single diffraction aper-
ture (not needed when
using the Diffraction
Grating)
Look through
here toward
Diffraction
Scale to view
(and measure)
the diffraction
pattern.
Diffraction Plate or
Diffraction Grating
The Variable Aperture, the
Polarizers, and the Lenses
attach to the component
holders as shown in Figure 6.
Use the centering notch to
align the components along the
optical axis of the bench and, in
the case of the Polarizers, to
measure the angle of polariza-
tion.
The Spherical Mirror mounts
onto the component holders in
the same manner as the
Lenses. However, the mirror is silvered on both sides, so
that, depending on which side you use, it can be a convex
or a concave mirror (see Figure 7).
Diffraction Experiments
Set up diffraction experiments as shown in Figure 8. You
can use either the Diffraction Plate, which has ten
different apertures, or the Diffraction Grating, which has a
line spacing of 600 lines/mm. If you are using the Dif-
fraction Plate, place the Slit Mask on the other side of the
A 1 0.04
B 1 0.08
C 1 0.16
D 2 0.04 0.125
E 2 0.04 0.250
F 2 0.08 0.250
G 10 0.06 0.250
H 2 (crossed) 0.04
I 225 Random Circular Apertures (.06 mm dia.)
J 15 x 15 Array of Circular Apertures (.06 mm dia.)
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DIFFRACTION PLATE
A B C D E
DIFFRACTION PLATE
J I H G F
Pattern No. Slits
Slit Width
(mm)
Slit Spacing
center-to-center
(mm)
Figure 9: Diffraction Plate Apertures
component holder and position it so that only a single
diffraction aperture is illuminated by the light from the light
source.
When you look through the aperture or grating toward the
light source, you will see the diffraction pattern superim-
posed over the Diffraction Scale. You can use the
illuminated scale to accurately measure the geometry of
the diffraction pattern. Information about analyzing the
measurements is provided in experiments 9, 15, 16, and
17. The dimensions of the apertures in the Diffraction
Plate are provided in Figure 9.