Know any good laser experiments?

  • Thread starter Thread starter alex caps
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Experiments Laser
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around potential experiments that can be conducted using a Helium-Neon (HeNe) laser. Participants share various ideas ranging from foundational experiments to more creative applications, with a focus on both theoretical and practical aspects of laser usage.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests exploring holography and mentions the double slit experiment as a foundational experiment.
  • Another participant proposes measuring the coherence length of the laser, although they admit uncertainty about the method.
  • A different idea involves modulating the laser's light and setting up a line-of-sight communication experiment, noting environmental factors that could affect signal clarity.
  • One participant humorously suggests using the laser in a destructive manner, indicating a playful approach to experimentation.
  • Another participant recommends investigating rotating mirrors and diffraction gratings for potential experiments.
  • A light-hearted comment is made regarding a mirror left on the Moon, adding a humorous tone to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present a variety of ideas and approaches without reaching a consensus on any specific experiment. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple competing views and suggestions.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions may depend on specific setups or conditions that are not fully detailed, such as the method for measuring coherence length or the environmental conditions affecting signal modulation.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in laser experimentation, including students and hobbyists in physics and engineering, may find the shared ideas and approaches beneficial for their own projects.

alex caps
Messages
89
Reaction score
0
I decided to buy a power supply for my HeNe laser. I was wondering if anyone could suggest any good experiments to try. I am planning on eventually doing some holography work and I know about the double slit experiment. Any other ideas?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Measure the coherence length? (Don't ask me how, though, I haven't done it myself.)

Put a small front-surface mirror on a speaker, and rock to the music (ah, the heady days of undergrad...)
 
You may modulate the LASER's light by making and breaking the signal. The coding is left as an exercise for the experimenter (an easy one is http://users.erols.com/k3mt/morse/cw.htm ). Set up a reciever some distance away and demodulate the signal at the reciever site. The signal path is line-of-sight, so you could set this up, hilltop to hilltop.

You will probably encounter some interesting effects; e.g. depending on how much moisture is in the air, your signal will become progressively scattered which will limit the distance of successfull demodulation. On a clear day, it would be quite interesting to see how far the light can go and be successfully demodulated.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I would use it like a death ray and see how many cities you can topple.
 
Check into rotating mirrors and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction_grating" .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hey, You don't suppose that mirror left behind on the Moon is pointing towords Usama Bin Laden do yah? LOL
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K