Two misconceptions about the mechanism of image formation in the human eye are common among students and even in textbooks and other teaching materials. The first attributes all refraction to the eye lens; the second treats the eye as a pinhole camera. To reduce these persistent conceptions of students, a series of simple experiments is presented…

GEANT4 simulations of the processes affecting the transport and collection of optical photons generated inside a scintillation detector were carried out, with the aim to complement the educational material offered by textbooks to third-year physics undergraduates. Two typical situations were considered: a long scintillator strip with and without a…

Describes a simple experimental setup in which the student can detect and record light spectra, study and test the concept of Bragg reflection, and measure the anisotropy of the index of refraction in a cholesteric liquid crystal. (MLH)

Describes an undergraduate optics laboratory experiment to verify the law of intensity in the Fesnel diffraction of a thin wire. A gas laser as light source and a photocell as detector scan the diffraction pattern. The agreement with the theoretical pattern is remarkably good. (Author/TS)

Describes a laboratory experiment in which the experimental data agree well with the empirical law. Demonstrates that transparent materials reflect light. (CP)

Describes an experiment in which the beam of X-rays is simulated through the use of a laser as a monochromatic light source and the crystal is replaced by photographically prepared masks. A strong diffraction pattern as large as 20 cm. can be obtained. (GS)

Describes an experiment investigating the polarization characteristics of light scattered from a dielectric cylinder. (SL)