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Reflection, Transmission and Fresnel’s Coefficients (3.1)
| Student's Manual | The reflection and transmission of light from a dielectric medium (for example glass) shows fascinating properties such as Brewster's angle. This experiment explores the relation between Fresnel's Coefficients, the Brewster angle and the refractive index of the glass. |
| Matlab Simulation | reflectance |
| Sample Results | Reflectance curves |
| Essential Reading | "Physics of Light and Optics", Justin Peatross and Michael Ware, Brigham Young University, 2013; (sections 3:1 to 3:4). |
Diffraction from Single and Double Slits (3.2)
| Student's Manual | Diffraction is one of the remarkable consequences of the wave nature of light. In this experiment you will study diffraction patterns for single slit and double slit arrangements. Furthermore you will explore techniques in image analysis for quantitative evaluation of the phenomenon. |
| Simulation | diffraction |
| Matlab Files | Single and Double Slit Diffraction |
| Sample Results | Single Slit, Double Slit |
| Essential Reading |
"Physics of Light and Optics", Justin Peatross and Michael Ware, Brigham Young University, 2013; (sections 10.2 to 10.4). "Improvements in the analysis of diffraction phenomena by means of digital images", A. Ramil, A. J. Lopez and F. Vincitorio, American Journal of Physics, Vol. 75, No. 11, 2007. |
Investigating Polarization of Light through Jones Calculus (3.3)
| Student's Manual | Polarization is one of the fundamental properties of light. The purpose of this experiment is to get familiarized with the polarization of light as well as effects of different optical components on it. |
| Sample Results | Polarized Beam Splitter, Quarter Wave Plate |
| Essential Reading | "Introduction to Optics", F. L. Pedrotti, L. S. Pedrotti and L. M. Pedrotti, Pearson Education, 2008; (Chapter 14). |
Analyzing the Polarization State of Light through the Fourier Series (3.4)
| Student's Manual | One can completely determine the polarization of light simply by using a polarizer and a quarter wave plate. In this experiment you will develop a method to generate as well as analyze different polarization states of light. |
| Essential Reading |
"Introduction to Optics", F. L. Pedrotti, L. S. Pedrotti and L. M. Pedrotti, Pearson Education, 2008; (Chapter 14) "Linear Algebra and its Applications", Gilbert Strang, Cengage Learning, 2006; (Section 3.3, Page 160 to 168). |
Investigating Longitudinal Laser Modes using a Scanning Fabry-Perot Interferometer (3.5)
| Student's Manual | The Fabry-Perot interferometer is an optical instrument which uses multiple-beam interference. In this experiment we will learn to characterize the interferometer and use it to diagnose the longitudinal modes of a HeNe laser. |
| Simulation | Cavity Transmission |
| Sample Results | Cavity Transmission Plot, Cavity output on oscilloscope |
| Essential Reading |
"Introduction to Optics", F. L. Pedrotti, L. S. Pedrotti and L. M. Pedrotti, Pearson Education, 2008; (Section 8.4 to 8.9). "Fabry-Perot Cavity Manual", Thorlabs. "Fabry-Perot Cavity Controller Manual", Thorlabs. |
Tuning a Laser Diode (3.6)
| Student's Manual | In this experiment we will develop an understanding of how a laser diode's optical power and wavelength can be varied by controlling its temperature and operating current. |
| Sample Results | Optical Power Vs Injection Current, Wavelength Vs Temperature |
| LabView file | Temperature controller |
| Essential Reading |
"L785P100 Specification Sheet", Thorlabs. "Laser Diode Mount Manual", Thorlabs. "Laser Diode Driver Manual", Thorlabs. |
| Optional Reading |
"Feedback control of Dynamic Systems" by Frankline, Powell and E-Naeini, Pearson (Section 4.3). |
