Describes an experiment in which a 500-A-thick silver film is evaporated on the hypotenuse face of a right glass prism. The surface plasmon mode in the film is excited with a He-Ne laser. The dispersion relation for the surface plasmon and the reflectivity due to the excitation of this mode are calculated. (Author/MLH)

Presents illustrations of numerous optical illusions which can be used in the classroom to amuse and to stimulate discussion. (MLH)

Detailed instructions are given on how to construct a string model useful in demonstrations to illustrate conic sections - ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas - as well as lines, curves, and surfaces. Directions for making slides are also given - the slides being used to project light beams onto the reflective string of the model to create…

Fiber optic communications (communications over very pure glass transmission channels of diameter comparable to a human hair) is an emerging technology which promises most improvements in communications capacity at reasonable cost. The fiber transmission system offers many desirable characteristics representing improvements over conventional…

Provides a method for determining the orientation of the polar axis of an equatorially mounted optical telescope. The background theory illustrates some important properties of the celestial sphere and gives an insight into the usual "rule of thumb" methods of axis orientation; it also provides a basis for instructors and students to…

Describes a procedure which utilizes a laser beam and an interferometer to determine the stability of a holography system. Equipment set-up, operation, and interpretation of results provided. (CP)

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

Describes an apparatus which attempts to give a direct visual impression of the random detection of individual photons coupled with the recognition of the classical intensity distribution as a result of fairly high proton statistics. (Author/GA)

Surveys new laser techniques and a variety of spectroscopic experiments that can be used to detect, measure and study very small numbers of atoms on molecules. The range of applicability of these techniques is also included. (HM)

Lists several ideas for experiments for the amateur scientist to try or design. The list covers a wide range of topics; sound, mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, optics, and electrostatics. (GA)

Describes an inexpensive double-beam laser photometry experiment to determine the molar heat of sublimation of I-2. The experiment employs common laboratory materials and components and gives results with a two percent to three percent accuracy. (Author/GA)

Gives an outline description of electronic circuitry which is analogous to the optical diffraction grating or to crystals used in the Bragg reflection of X-rays or electron waves, and explains how to use it. (Author/GA)

Describes the principle of the scanning optical microscope and explains its advantages over the conventional microscope in the improvement of resolution and contrast, as well as the possibility of producing a picture from optical harmonies generated within the specimen.