Building+version+R02+of+the+Bath+Interferometer+(Right+angled+layout)

The images below show the test setup of the next version that was jigged up in a matter of minutes. This version uses a green laser from Maplin (N02KH) of 532nM wavelength and a small 10 x 10mm non polarising beam splitter. The image below shows the size difference between the cube used in the original layout method in R01, and the new smaller cube that follows the right angle layout method. Thank's John!! :-)



The problems with the first set up included poor image quaility and faint fringes using the red laser. We did not use the Odicforce geen laser as it was a class 3B! and we wanted to save our eyes. One other part that has been ordered to develop the R02 version is a Proxxon Micro compound table for the X/Z part of the stage. The Z axis will use one of the linear stages already on loan from Ian :-) and not the lab jack. The micro table was purchased from Ebay for £80. A lot cheaper than an X/Z stage and well made. Image below shows the layout of the right angled version set up in a few minutes and for a quick test only. Distance between the mirror and the lens was 2565mm, which is different to the original layout? Distance between the middle of the cube and teh lens was 25mm. The laser was 90mm from the cube.

The lens used was the same as in the original R01 l;ayout, but there was a problem. The new laser has a smaller beam diameter and the diverging lens (12mm FL) is too long and only partially illuminates teh mirror. Therefore a new lens is being sourced. This lens was takne from an old eyepiece. It did not take long to set the system up and get the image below. The images were brighter than the original layout and the fringes much more obviouse!! Only 70% or so of the mirror is illuminated, but the quaility is much better than the original layout. Time to strip the test setup down and build it properly now I think!