The Physics Department is looking to raise $3,000 (which will provide $6,000 in matching funds) to purchase a Newport Optics Educational Kit.
What is it?
The Newport Optics Educational Kit provides students the opportunity to collaboratively conduct experiments and analyze data within the areas of physical and geometrical optics, exploring topics such as interference and diffraction through the design and construction of interferometers and other optical systems. The kit contains all the optics (lenses, mirrors, lasers, etc.) and optomechanical components (mounts, posts, optical breadboard, etc.) needed for the study of experiments in optics.
What will is be used for?
These kits provide students the opportunity to collaboratively conduct experiments and analyze data within the areas of physical and geometrical optics, exploring topics such as interference and diffraction through the design and construction of interferometers and other optical systems.
How it will benefit the students?
This additional setup will accommodate increasing student interest in this sub-discipline of physics. It will also enhance student learning by providing all students with hands-on access to conducting measurements and participating in the alignment process (rather than waiting in line to align a laser beam!). It also enhances our ability to foster a safe laboratory environment since all experiments are conducted in a dark room.