Construction and Testing of a Scanning Fabry-Perot Interferometer

POSTER

Abstract

Scanning Fabry-Perot interferometers (SFPI) are useful devices for determining the spectral characteristics of coherent light sources. Due to budget limitations, we constructed an inexpensive SFPI in the confocal arrangement with high enough precision for optical lab work. The SPFI's cavity length is adjusted via a voltage-controlled piezo transducer and the resulting changes in interference patterns are measured using an amplified photodetector. The output signal is then processed by either an oscilloscope or a spectrum analyzer. As a first test, the device was used to determine the longitudinal mode separation of a commercially available HeNe laser. An explanation of the design, a discussion of how components were selected, and the fabrication process will be presented. We will also present results that show our device performs as intended.

Authors

  • Robin Depto

    Delaware Technical and Community College

  • Shahab Derakhshan

    Drexel University, Univ of Delaware, Princeton University, Naval Surface Warfare Center\Carderock Division\West Bethesda site, Naval Surface Warfare Center and Georgetown Univ., Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Deleware, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nevada-Reno, university of Delaware, Contributors, Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences, Towson University, Choice Research Group, Univ of the Sciences in Philadephia, Rutgers Univ, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Chemistry, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, Bucknell University, Towson University, University of Maryland, College of William and Mary, Naval Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, Villanova University, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brescia, Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Potsdam, Delaware State University DE, NIH Bethesda MD, Wilmington Friends School DE, University Of Rochester NY, Delaware State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy,West Virginia University, The National Energy Technology Laboratory, Non-tenure track professor at research institution, Government Sponsored Laboratory, Research and Development at Industrial Company, Tenure-track Professor at 4 yr college, Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Biology and Soft Matter Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Tennessee, Biology and Soft Matter Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lehigh Univ, Johns Hopkins Univ, NIST, GMU, GWU, Lock Haven University of PA, Univ of Maryland-Balt County; Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Univ of Maryland-Balt County, Pennsylvania State University, BAE Systems, Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire 03061, Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506-6315, California State University, Long Beach