Physics & Astronomy

Interference

Purpose
To demonstrate visually the interference pattern formed when a coherent (laser) light beam passes through two slits.
Location
room 146, shelf P3
Description
A quick demonstration of double-slit interference can be done with the green diode laser and the multiple-slit plate. The plate will need to be elevated with a book (left photo) to get proper alignment with the laser. This should result in a clearly visible two-slit interference pattern on the pull-down screen (right photo). There are single slits on the plate as well, but better diffraction patterns can be obtained with the Pasco equipment in the �Interference and Diffraction� demo.