Some More Simple Laser Experiments for the Undergraduate Laboratory

Abstract

Certain elementary optics experiments can be performed with considerably greater ease using a laser instead of conventional light sources. This paper describes three such experiments which illustrate the Fresnel-Arago law, elliptical polarization, double refraction and polarization in calcite, and interference by a Fresnel biprism. Because of the high intensity of the laser beam, these experiments lend themselves very well to demonstrations in front of large groups.