Grinnell College is establishing a laser facility with equipment necessary to integrated the study of lasers and modern optics into the physics curriculum. The physics department is equipping a laser facility with simple, reliable laser systems whose capabilities can be fully used by undergraduates. The equipment includes multi-color and open-frame helium-neon lasers, optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, optical mounting hardware, and materials for building two general-purpose diode laser controllers and a carbon dioxide laser. With this equipment the department is developing lecture demonstrations that will interest and motivate introductory (and non-science major) students to learn about basic laws of light, color, and vision; developing laboratory experiments to be carried out by students in intermediate and advanced physics courses to examine lasers and their properties; and providing the opportunity for advanced students to engage in independent study and laser-construction projects that will help to prepare them for graduate study of careers in industry. The equipment allows three levels of instruction, from observation of demonstrations through use of lasers in the laboratory and study of the laser itself and thus gives beginning students some background in an important area of physics while allowing advanced undergraduates to understand lasers as a basic piece of scientific instrumentation. The college is matching the award with an equal amount of funds.
