Describes an experiment in which the Fresnel diffraction pattern of a single slit can be displayed directly on an oscilloscope. The experiment requires a minimum amount of equipment and space. Results of the experiment are presented and compared with theoretical calculations carried out by a digital computer. (LC)

There were no differences in the understanding of physical optics and ability to solve physical optics problems after instruction or on a delayed test between students with or without prior instruction in wave motion. (AL)

Describes an advanced laboratory experiment of Fresnel diffraction which uses a He-Ne gas laser as the source and a wire as the opaque diffracting strip. A photograph of the diffraction pattern is compared with the intensity diagram predicted by the Cornu spiral method. Agreement is clear and impressive, although minor differences are detectable.…

Certain terminological inconsistencies in the teaching of optical theory at the elementary level are traced back to Newton who derived them from Euclidean geometrical optics. Discusses this terminological ambiguity which influenced later textbooks. (LS)

An optical dectector consisting of a high-speed PIN diode and a transistor was evaluated for use in student experiments with a pulsed-ruby laser. Pulses with 36-nsec risetimes were clearly resolved. (LC)

Presents a mathematical treatment of optical propagation in crystals as an eigenvalue problem involving a real symmetrical dyadic. (MLH)

Describes optics demonstrations that use a mirror mounted on a laser pointer. Can be used to demonstrate reflection from plane or curved surfaces, refraction, and Snell's law. (Author/JRH)

Describes the use of a laser pointer to measure the speed of light by incorporating the phase delay between a modulated split beam of light. (JRH)

Describes a measurement lab that introduces measurement and presents a simple example of how to use error analysis with an obvious illustration of its value. The experiment measures the diameters of pinhole images of the sun and uses them to calculate the heights of the leafy canopy that created the images. (JRH)