The use of an inexpensive laser pointer to perform qualitative and semiquantitative laser refractometry

Investigative studies of refractive indices of liquids and a demonstration of refraction by the use of a laser pointer and a lazy Susan

“…Ascertaining the refractive index by applying Snell's law, as described above, is simple and easily understood though not as precise as another method reported earlier [3]. However, the setup described here can achieve greater precision with a slight compromise as regards simplicity.…”

“…However, the setup described here can achieve greater precision with a slight compromise as regards simplicity. Instead of reading the refracted angle directly on the curved surface of the tank, the refracted path can be monitored with a distant screen placed at an appropriate location [3] and the unknown refractive index can be deduced on the basis of reference liquids. For more advanced undergraduate laboratories, where gas lasers with different wavelengths are available (e.g.…”

“…While several methods have been designed for studying the refractive indices of liquids [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8], most present difficulties for high school students. For example, some of these methods require students to find the minimum deviation angle of the refracted ray [1,2], to compare experimental data against a fitted linear function obtained from reference liquids [3], to solve a geometrical problem [4], to find the real and apparent depths of an object observed from above through the medium [5] or to make deductions from the combined effect of diffraction and refraction of a laser beam [6]. Such methods may not be easily understood or mastered by school students who have only just encountered the phenomenon of refraction.…”

A Modular Laser Apparatus for Polarimetry, Nephelometry, and Fluorimetry in General Chemistry

“…General descriptions of the uses of lasers in chemistry are also available (3,4). Further, several recent articles in this Journal have described numerous laser or simplified apparatus for investigating light scattering and refraction (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11), optical rotation (12)(13)(14), and fluorescence (15). We describe a novel apparatus that strengthens the connection between our research and teaching laboratories and serves multiple purposes.…”