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
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.


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