Video Demonstrations in
Lasers and Optics

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10 videotapes containing 48 demonstrations presented by Professor Shaoul Ezekiel, MIT 1990.

Some of the demonstrations on these tapes are superb. The equipment used is the finest. However, the presentation often leaves something to be desired - the pace is slow and the repetition can be annoying. As always, the videos must be viewed before class so that the good bits can be chosen. For some of the demos it might be better to turn down the sound and provide your own comments. Some of the diffraction patterns show up better in black and white. There is no theory, equations, diagrams or explanations.
Appropriate for 3rd and 4th year.

The numbers in brackets following the description below give the time on the tape at which the demo starts. A star (*) means I thought the demo was particularly good.

Tape One: Overview of Videotaped Demonstrations in Lasers and Optics(30 min)

there is no point in watching this tape

Demonstrations in Physical Optics

Tape Two: Polarization of Light and Polarization Manipulation(6 demonstrations)

all the demonstrations on this tape can be performed live without much trouble, not as elegantly but probably with greater interest

1. Linear Polarizer(0:30)
2. Polarization Rotation Using Polarizers (8:16)
3. Quarter-Wave Plate (16:25)
4. Half-Wave Plate (23:03)
5. Optical Isolator (29:39) *
6. Scattered Light in a Dielectric (34:20)
end (40:28)

Tape Three: Reflection at Dielectric Interfaces (3 demonstrations)

7. Reflection at Air/Glass Boundary (0:30)
8. Reflection at Glass/Air Boundary (9:02)
9. Phase Shifts in Total Internal Reflection (20:23)
end (31:25)

Tape Four: Two-Beam Interference (8 demonstrations)

Well worth watching. These demos would be impossible to do in a lecture setting.

10. Two-Beam Interference-Collimated Beams(0:30) *
11. Two-Beam Interference-Diverging Beams (6:28) *
12. Destructive Interference (12:05)
13. Fringe Contrast-Vibrations (21:17)
14. Fringe Contrast-Intensity Ratio (23:40)
15. Fringe Contrast-Polarization Difference (27:00)
16. Fringe Contrast-Path Difference (32:30) *
17. Coherence Length and Source Spectrum (43:22) *
end (55:33)

Tape Five: Multiple Beam Interference (4 demonstrations)

Well worth watching. These demos would be impossible to do in a lecture setting.

18. Plane Mirror Cavity-Collimated Beams (0:30) *
19. Plane Mirror Cavity-Diverging Beams (15:20) *
20. Curved Mirror Cavity-Radial Modes (18:45)
21. Optical Spectrum Analyzer (34:30)
end (37:00)

Tape Six: Fraunhofer and Fresnel Diffraction (9 demonstrations)

Some good ideas but almost all the demos can be done live without much difficulty given the equipment (some of which we don't have yet)

22. Fraunhofer Diffraction-Adjustable Slit (0:30)
23. Fraunhofer Diffraction-Two Slits (5:20) *
24. Fraunhofer Diffraction-Multiple Slits (9:00) (a) diffraction from 1,2,3... slits shown by placing an adjustable single slit in front of a Ronchi ruling * (b) coarse gratings (15:41)
25. Fraunhofer Diffraction-Thin Wires (20:45)
26. Fraunhofer Diffraction-Rectangular Aperture (25:30) *
27. Fraunhofer Diffraction-Circular Apertures (30:20)
28. Fraunhofer Diffraction- Crossed Multiple Slits (34:50)
29. Fresnel Diffraction-Adjustable Slit (39:40)
30. Fresnel Diffraction-Circular Apertures (45:50) (c) diffraction as a function of source distance-tough to do live, compare film loop "Shadow of a hole"
end (51:55)

Tape Seven: Propagation in Optical Fibers (3 demonstrations)

31. Single Mode Fiber (0:30)
32. Multimode Fiber (7:20)
33. Polarization in a Single Mode Fiber (12:33)
end (18:25)

Demonstrations in Laser Fundamentals

Almost all of the demonstrations on these three tapes are good.

Tape Eight: Laser Fundamentals I (5 demonstrations)

1. Simple Laser (0:40) (a) laser with internal mirrors (b) laser with external mirrors
2. Light Amplifier (9:20)
3. Polarization of Laser Light (18:20)
4. Spectrum of Laser Light (25:40)
5. Light Inside and Light Outside Laser (39:40)
end (46:40)

Tape Nine: Laser Fundamentals II (3 demonstrations)

6. Optics of Laser Beams (0:40)
7. Laser Transverse Modes (17:00)
8. Laser Linewidth (42:50) end (1:01:20)

Tape Ten: Laser Fundamentals III (7 demonstrations)

9. Reflection back into Laser (0:40)
10. High Power Argon Laser (10:15)
11. Multiwavelength Argon Laser (14:40)
12. Single-Frequency Argon Laser (18:00)
13. Tunable dye Laser (30:00)
14. Dye laser Excitation of Sodium (36:00)
15. Dye Laser Induced Fluorescence in Iodine (38:00)
end (43:40)

Disclaimer: All demonstrations are posted for the convenience and benefit of faculty and staff in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University and are not intended for outside use. The author(s) assume no responsibility or liability for the use of information contained on this site. Warnings and precautionary measures listed on this site assume normal operation of equipment and are not inclusive. Demonstrations may pose a significant hazard and can, in some instances, result in death; reasonable safety precautions must be taken. Demonstrations should be performed by qualified individuals only.

Prepared by Jeff Rudd, 1999
Revised by Laura Schmidt, 2007

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