A series of hands-on laboratory exercises are being developed for a triad of upper-division physics courses based on the techniques of active optical spectroscopy of gases and plasmas using a tunable dye laser as probing light source. The laboratories give students hands-on experience in operating and calibrating a dye laser system and teach various ways in which we can use scanning, narrowband dye lasers in the spectroscopic study of matter. Four core exercises are being developed initially, with gradual extensions and additional exercises being added as independent research projects conducted by senior physics majors. The following form the initial four core exercises: (1) An Introduction to Dye Lasers and Calibration; (2) Investigation of Atomic Structure by Laser Optogalvanic Spectroscopy; (3) Spectroscopic Study of Molecular Structure by Laser Induced Fluorescence and by Laser Absorption; and (4) Optical Diagnosis of Electrostatic Waves in Plasma. Emphasis is placed on hands-on student participation and the full utilization of current state-of-the- art active spectroscopy apparatus and procedures as provided by frequency scanning, narrowband dye lasers and supporting optical components and instrumentation for signal analysis.
