Our department features a state-of-the-art optics laboratory where students have the opportunity to perform experiments to observe and measure various optical phenomena.   One such experiment involves using a helium neon laser to split the laser beam into multiple, small intensity beams.  One of the pictures above shows the optical setup with the laser passing through a series of lenses and beam splitters. 

Another type of experiment is spectroscopy on various light sources.  Spectroscopy involves separating the various wavelengths of light by using a diffraction grating or crystal.  One of the photos below shows the basic setup for a spectrometer with a crystal and a mercury vapor lamp (blue light) as the source.

optlab1

Long view of the Optics Lab

optlab2

Laser passing through a series of lenses and beam splitters

optlab3

Spectrometer with a mercury vapor lamp