LASER (Light Amplification Simulated Electric Radiation) is a device designed to generate light with special and unique characteristics. The LASER can be used to perform surgery, melt metals, cut materials, mark and scribe information on parts, transmit information over long distances and measure distances very precisely. The purpose of this trainer is to experiment and to allow you to become LASER literate, and become aware how they work. We use class II HeNe laser source. It is harmful to view LASER beam with naked eye. Using this trainer the following tasks can be accomplished.

List of Experiments:

• Estimate the output beam diameter by observing the spot in both a lighted and darkened room.
  
• Calculate the irradiance produced by the beam at a given distance from the LASER.
  
• Produce interference effects with the coherent light from HeNe LASER.
  
• Produce diffraction effects as the coherent light from a HeNe LASER bends around edges of obstacles.
  
• Measure the diameters of an expanded HeNe LASER beam by taking " pin point" power readings at different locations within the beam.
  
• Calculate the index of refraction for water.
  
• Measure the critical angle of incidence for water / air interface.
  
• Determine the focal length of a positive lens.
  
• Construct an up collimator and use it to expand the laser beam and reduce the beam's divergence.
  
• Measure the angles of incidence and reflection from a specular reflector and compare the values.
  
• Study the characteristics of concave and convex mirror surfaces.
  
• Observe the effect of light absorption by crossed polarizers.
  
• Demonstrate the transmission of a signal over a laser beam by modulation of the laser's power supply.

Specifications:

• LASER: Low power, HeNe
  
• Concave - 1
  
• Classifiction: Class II type.
  
• Convex - 1
  
• Color: Red-Orange beam.
  
• Flat lenses - 1 set
  
• Lenses & Mirrors
  
• Light filter - 2 Nos.
  
• Beam power: < 1mW in visible spectrum. Safety shutter provided.