Related papers: Sub-$10 sound card photogate variants
We describe four classical undergraduate physics experiments that were done with everyday objects and low-cost sensors: mechanical oscillations, transmittance of light through a slab of matter, beam deformation under load, and thermal…
Optical coatings are widespread in everyday life, from camera lenses to glasses, to complex optics experiments. A simple, reliable device that can quickly and inexpensively analyze optical coatings is a valuable laboratory tool. Such a…
We present a simple experiment that can be run in class or remotely with minimal materials. Students use the principles of geometric optics to create their own versions of the bat signal.
The scanning electron microscope (SEM) delivers high resolution, high depth of focus and an image quality as if microscopic objects are seen by the naked eye. This makes it not only a powerful scientific instrument, but a tool inherently…
A low cost fluorescence-based optical system is developed for detecting the presence of certain microorganisms and molecules within a diluted sample. A specifically designed device setup compatible with conventional 96 well plates is chosen…
Photonic chips that integrate guides, switches, gratings and other components, process vast amounts of information rapidly on a single device. A new branch of this technology becomes possible if the light is coupled to cold atoms in a…
The paper demonstrates the design and execution of a low-cost optical spectrometer that employs a webcam, diffraction grating & Python (a free, open-source programming language). The device's design prioritized economy and usability, with a…
We develop a compact whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) sensing system by integrating multiple components, including a tunable laser, a temperature controller, a function generator, an oscilloscope, a photodiode detector, and a testing computer,…
The multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) is a newly developed photodetector with an excellent photon counting capability. It also has many attractive features such as small size, high gain, low operation voltage and power consumption, and…
In this paper we describe an alternative use of the loop-the-loop apparatus, which can be used to study an interesting case of projectile motion. We also present an effective way to perform and analyze these experiments, by using video…
We investigate the low loss acoustic motion of superfluid $^4$He parametrically coupled to a very low loss, superconducting Nb, TE$_{011}$ microwave resonator, forming a gram-scale, sideband resolved, optomechanical system. We demonstrate…
This paper describes an undergraduate-level physics project that incorporates various aspects of machine- and electronics-shop technical development. The desktop muon detector is a self-contained apparatus that employs plastic scintillator…
New development approaches, including launch vehicles and advances in sensors, computing, and software, have lowered the cost of entry into space, and have enabled a revolution in low-cost, high-risk Small Satellite (SmallSat) missions. To…
This paper presents MicroRoboScope, a portable, compact, and versatile microrobotic experimentation platform designed for real-time, closed-loop control of both magnetic and acoustic microrobots. The system integrates an embedded computer,…
Delivering light to an object is one of the key steps in any imaging exercise. Tools such as LEDs and lasers are available to achieve this. These components are integrated into systems such as microscopy, medical imaging, remote sensing,…
Edukoi is a software that aims to make interactive sonification suitable to convey and extract information. The program design is a modification of the software Herakoi, which sonifies images in real time mapping pitch to colour using a…
Gaseous detectors with sense wires are still in use today in small experiments as well as modern ones as those at the LHC. This short note is about the construction of a small wire chamber with limited resources, which could be used both as…
The key to the success of pocket microscopes stems from the convenience for anyone to magnify the fine details (tens of micrometres) of any object on-thespot. The capability with a portable microscope lets us surpass our limited vision and…
Quantum technologies are the next big revolution in information technologies, computing, communication security, sensing as well as metrology. What do you use to explore all these fascinating applications when you work in Optics? Photons of…
Recent advances in photon detectors have resulted in high-density imaging arrays that offer many performance and cost advantages. In particular, the excellent transit time spread of certain devices show promise to provide tangible benefits…