6C10.12 - Diffraction - Laser and Cornell Plate

Code Number:
6C10.12
Demo Title:
Diffraction - Laser and Cornell Plate
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Diffraction of Waves
Area of Study:
Optics, Astronomy

Disclaimer

Equipment:
Helium-Neon Laser (2 to 5 mw.), Optics Bench, Cornell Plate.
Procedure:

The Cornell plate has a explanation sheet that goes with it telling things like slit width, slit spacing, and number of slits.  Choosing the appropriate slit in the dark can be aided by shining a flashlight through the plate during alignment.

References:
  • Thorsten Wagner, Christoph Hoyer, Cristian Ringl, Jochen Kuhn, "Investigating Diffraction Phenomena with Low-Cost material and Augmented Reality, TPT, Vol. 61, #5, May 2023, p. 402.
  • Asif Shakur, Steven Binz, "Diffraction Experiments with a Smart Cart", TPT, Vol. 59, #4, April 2021, p. 272.
  • Chang-won Kang, Hyen-Jung Nam, Jung Bog Kim, "Pseudo-Double-Slit Experiment with Two Glass Plates, TPT, Vol. 58, #9, Dec. 2020, p. 649.
  • Chun-Ming Chiang, Shih-Hsin Ma, Jyun-Yi Wu, and Yao-Chen Hung, "3-D Optical Path Drawing Method", TPT, Vol. 57, #3, Mar. 2019, p. 179.
  • Dinh Xuan Khoa and Nguyen Huy Bang, "A Low-Cost Experimental Kit for Teaching Wave Optics Based on the CDIO Approach", TPT, Vol. 57, #3, Mar. 2019, p. 168.
  • Bettina Teng, Peter Teng, and Charles H. Hennekens, "A Simple Way to Teach Single Slit Diffraction Based on Edge Diffraction", TPT, Vol. 56, #6, Sept. 2018, p. 380. 
  • Richard A. Lohsen, "From Our Files: Paper Waves", Repritned from TPT, Vol. 21, #8, Nov. 1983, p. 532, TPT, Vol. 44, #7, Oct. 2006, p. 475.
  • Jeffrey W. Rylander and John J. Miller, "Diffraction Patterns with Light and Motion Sensors", TPT, Vol. 37, #2, Feb. 1999, p. 106.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Quick Measurement of Wavelength of Laser Light", TPT, Vol. 35, #5, May 1997, p. 309.
  • Jack Higbie, "The Case of The Missing Pattern", TPT, Vol. 35, #1, Feb. 1997, p. 106.
  • Joe L. Ferguson, "Wedding PC Interfaces to Interference and Diffraction Experiments", TPT, Vol. 34, #2, Feb. 1996, p. 124.
  • Richard A. Lohsen, "Paper Waves", TPT, Vol. 21, #8, Nov. 1983, p. 532, also A Potpourri of Physics Teaching Ideas - Optics and Waves, p. 228.
  • Scott R. Welty, "Long-Playing Diffraction Grating", TPT, Vol. 19, #3, Mar. 1981, p. 187.
  • Roland A. Hultsch, "Simple Young's Experiment Grating Made Photographically", TPT, Vol. 18, #7, Oct. 1980, p. 534.
  • Robert Gardner, "Single Slit Diffraction - A Test of the Theory", TPT, Vol. 18, #3, Mar. 1980, p. 193.
  • William H. Porter, "Markers of Young's Experiment (PSSC Version)", TPT, Vol. 12, #3, Mar. 1974, p. 178, also A Potpourri of Physics Teaching Ideas - Optics and Waves, p. 201.
  • Roy H. Biser, "Modern Method for the Study of Optical Diffraction", TPT, Vol. 7, #2, Mar. 1969, p. 158.
  • Harriet Slogoff, Jeff Mackowiak, Milen Shishkov, and Alan T. Johnson, "Erratum: 'Photolithographic fabrication of diffraction and interference slit patterns for the undergraduate laboratory' [Am. J. Phys. 72 (10), 1328–1334 (2004)]", AJP, Vol. 72, #12, Dec. 2004, p. 1530.
  • Harriet Slogoff, Jeff Mackowiak, Milen Shishkov, and Alan T. Johnson, "Photolithographic Fabrication of Diffraction and Interference Slit Patterns for the Undergraduate Laboratory", AJP, Vol. 72, #10, Oct. 2004, p. 1328.
  • Wolfgang Gilliar, William S. Bickel, Gordon Videen, and David Hoar, "Light Scattering from Fibers: An Extension of a Single-Slit Diffraction Experiment", AJP, Vol. 55, #6, June 1987, p. 555.
  • A. Bodek, "Simple Experiment Illustrating the Properties of Waves in a Refractive Medium", AJP, Vol. 52, #1, Jan. 1984, p. 77.
  • M. L. Mukherjee, "Negative Order Fraunhofer Diffraction Pattern of He-Ne laser Light", AJP, Vol. 45, #7, July 1977, p. 678.
  • Freier and Anderson, "Ol-3, 5, 6", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Wallace A. Hilton, "Od-7", Physics Demonstration Experiments.
  • Yaakov Kraftmakher, "4.2, Diffraction of Light", Experiments and Demonstrations in Physics, ISBN 981-256-602-3, p. 227.
  • Paul Doherty and Don Rathjen, "Diffraction", The Exploratorium Teacher Institute, The Magic Wand & Other Experiments in Light & Color, p. 41 - 45.
  • Seville Chapman and Harold Meese, "Effective and Inexpensive Slits for Teaching Physical Optics", Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, Inc., Buffalo, New York, August 8, 1956.
  • C. Harvey Palmer, "Experiment B15: Fraunhofer Diffraction by a Single Slit", Optics - Experiments and Demonstrations, John Hopkins Press, 1962.
  • "18, Diffraction on a Slit", Experiments in Optics, Part 1, J. Klinger Scientific Apparatus Corp., Bulletin 101.
  • T. D. Rossing and C. J. Chiaverina, "5.9, Multiple Slits And Gratings", Light Science, Physics and Visual Arts, p. 120.
  • T. D. Rossing and C. J. Chiaverina, "5.7, Combined Interference And Difraction", Light Science, Physics and Visual Arts, p. 116.

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.