This project will improve an advanced undergraduate teaching and research laboratory in Acoustics at Smith College. The Physics Department will acquire the capability to use holographic interferometry to identify, demonstrate, and analyze the vibrational modes of various objects, starting with musical instruments. For this project Smith will purchase a vibration isolated optical table and base, vibration exciter, accelerometer, digital shutter, variable attenuator/beam splitter, and spatial filter. The Acoustics course requires a semester-long experimental project from physics majors taking the course, and shorter projects may be elected by non-majors. In addition, the Acoustics laboratory is used by seniors doing Honors and Special Studies projects. Having the capability to use holographic interferometry in the identification of vibrational modes will provide several additional laboratory experiments for the Acoustics course as well as giving majors another technique for use in their experimental projects.
