Reports new equipment, techniques, or materials of interest to teachers of physics. (Editor/CP)

Describes an experiment producing a visible spectrum with inexpensive equipment available in the physics classroom. Discusses some related equations, apparatus settings, and instructional methods. (YP)

Describes an experiment which makes use of a number of concepts from geometrical optics. The apparatus and method which is intended for students in elementary college physics classes are included. (HM)

Described is a mechanically driven device for generating three-dimensional harmonic space figures with different frequencies and phase angles on the X, Y, and Z axes. Discussed are apparatus, viewing stereo pairs, equations of motion, and using space figures in classroom. (YP)

Describes ways to use nomographs, including solving equations for equivalent resistance of a parallel circuit, focal length of a thin lens, parallel combinations of standard resistance, average speed, refraction problem, and height of a vertically projected object. (YP)

Described are three experiments on the photometric, Gaussian, and image-forming properties of a helium-neon gas laser. Details of the experimental method and typical calculations with diagrams and graphs are provided. (YP)

Explains the problem of analyzing a phase object, separating the contribution due to thickness variations and that due to refractive index variations. Discusses the design of an interferometer and some applications. Provides diagrams and pictures of holographic images. (YP)

Describes a simple apparatus and provides instructions to do relative index of refraction measurements/calculations and to show mathematical relationships betwen indices when light travels from one liquid to another. A listing of a computer program (in BASIC) which will analyze data is available from the author. (JM)

Presents a technique to produce samples for x-ray diffraction studies on the Tel-X-Ometer 80 x-ray apparatus from readily available crystalline powders and discusses observations of transverse modes of an optical resonator. (SK)

Demonstrates the inverted image, the chromatic aberration, and the floaters of the eye using an opaque 35mm film container with a small pinhole poked through the bottom. Describes the observation of Haidinger's brushes using polarized light. (YP)

Discusses a demonstration of interference phenomena using three sheets of polaroid material, a light source, and a light meter. Describes instructional procedures with mathematical expressions and a diagram. (YP)

Outlines what a hologram is, the main types of holography, and how a simple system producing a white light reflection hologram can be set up in a school physics laboratory. Discusses the basic optics of the hologram and procedures and materials for making holograms in school. (YP)

Describes a thin film rectangular dielectric waveguide and its laboratory use. Discusses the theory of uniaxial thin film waveguides with mathematical expressions and the laboratory procedures for a classroom experiment with diagrams. (Author/YP)

With an aquarium and a few tools, a simple apparatus to quantitatively illustrate absorption rates of light passing through fresh, salt, and other waters (such as distilled water) can be constructed. Students learn that extinction rates are different and that the intensity/depth relationship is exponential. (DH)