4B40.66 - Radiation - Laser and Thermometer

See paragraph one in the procedure section
Code Number:
4B40.66
Demo Title:
Radiation - Laser and Thermometer
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Radiation Heating
Area of Study:
Heat & Fluids
Equipment:
Digital Thermometer & bead thermocouple, alcohol thermometer, green laser pointer, sensitive thermocouple horn, green helium-neon laser if available, red helium-neon laser.
Procedure:

Line up the bead thermocouple and green laser on an optics bench so that the bead will be fully illuminated when the laser is turned on.  A temperature rise of several degrees C. will be observed when the laser is turned on.  A higher temperature rise will be observed if you borrow one of the high power green diode laser modules from one of the research labs. 

The sensitive thermocouple horn can be used in place of the digital thermometer.  However, you will see the temperature increase as an increase in voltage in this case. 

A regular alcohol thermometer may be used if you are using the high power green laser diode modules.  Otherwise the temperature rise will most likely be too small to see. 

Using a red helium-neon laser for this experiment will show no noticeable temperature rise.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.