Equipment – PASCO OS-9257A PRECISION INTERFEROMETER User Manual
Page 6
Precision Interferometer
012-07137A
2
Equipment
The OS-9255A Precision Interferometer includes the
following equipment:
5 kg Base with built-in micrometer
Adjustable Mirror
Movable Mirror
Beam Splitter
Compensator Plate
(2) Component Holder
Viewing Screen
Lens, 18 mm Focal Length
Diffuser
Fitted Storage Case
Additional Equipment Required –
Laser (OS-9171)
Laser Bench (OS-9172)
➤
NOTE: The preceding equipment includes
everything needed for basic Michelson interferom-
etry. You can produce clear fringes and make
precise measurements of the wavelength of your
source. However, to perform the experiments in this
manual, you will need additional components, such
as the OS-9256A Interferometer Accessories or a
comparable set of your own components.The
Precision Interferometer is available as a complete
system. Please refer to your current PASCO catalog
for details.
Additional Equipment Recommended –
The OS-9256A Interferometer Accessories includes:
Rotating Pointer
Vacuum Cell
Component Holder
Lens, 18 mm Focal Length
Lens, 48 mm Focal Length
Glass Plate
(2) Polarizer
Vacuum Pump with Gauge
➤
NOTE: The OS-9255A Fitted Case also
provides storage for these accessory components.
About Your Light Source
We strongly recommend a laser for most introductory
applications. A spectral light source can be used (see the
Appendix), but that really comprises an experiment in and
of itself for beginning students. A laser source is easy to
use and produces bright, sharp fringes.
The OS-9171 Laser and OS-9172 Laser Alignment Bench
are available from PASCO. However, any low power laser
that operates in the visible range will work well. If you
want to demonstrate the importance of polarization in
interferometry, a non-polarized laser should be used. For
easy alignment, the beam should be approximately 4 cm
above the level of the bench top.
OS-9171 Laser
OS-9172
Laser Alignment
Bench