6A65.70 - Fresnel Lenses

Code Number:
6A65.70
Demo Title:
Fresnel Lenses
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Wavelength and Focal Points
Area of Study:
Optics
Equipment:
Fresnel Lenses (Plus and Minus), Laser (2 to 5 mW.), Beam Expander lens, and White Paper Screens.
Procedure:

Clean the Fresnel lenses with plastic polish and a soft cloth when necessary. Put the beam expander on the laser and direct this expanded beam onto the Fresnel lens. Observe the focusing properties and characteristics.

References:
  • David Keeports, "Building a Multifocal Lens", TPT, Vol. 51, #4, Apr. 2013, p. 250. 
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "Fresnel's Lighthouse Lenses", TPT, Vol. 45, #9, Dec. 2007, p. 550.
  • R. D. Edge and Edwin R. Jones Jr., "Optical Illusions", TPT, Vol. 22, #9 , Dec. 1984, p. 591. 
  • B. A. Anicin, V. M. Babovic, and D. M. Davidovic, "Fresnel Lenses", AJP, Vol. 57, #4, Apr. 1989, p. 312.
  • R. Boyer and E. Fortin, "Intensity Measurements in a Fresnel Diffraction Pattern", AJP, Vol. 40, #1, Jan. 1972, p. 74.
  • "O-355. Fresnel Lens", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook, 1993.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Ol-22", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Martin C. Sagendorf, "Solar Energy", Physics Demonstration Apparatus, 2009, p. 21.
  • Pat Murphy, Ellen Macaulay, and the staff of the Exploratorium, "Ask Professor Exploratorium", Exploratopia, p. 293.
  • Simon Quellen Field, "Fun with a Big Lens", Gonzo Gizmos, p. 198 - 199.
  • "Fresnel Lens", The New Illustrated Science and Invention, p. 1056 - 1057.
  • "Giant Lens", Exploratorium Science Snackbook, p. 54.1 - 54.3.
  • "Giant Lens", The Exploratorium, The Magic Wand and Other Experiments in Light and Color.
  • John H. Moore, Christopher C. Davis, and Michael A. Coplan, "Fresnel Lenses", Building Scientific Apparatus 2nd Edition, p. 148.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "P.4. Fresnel Lens", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 179 - 180.
  • Brian Jones and Matt Fackelman, "Fresnel Lenses", Don't Forget the Duct Tape, p. 49 - 52.


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.