Less is More: At-Home Interferometry in Undergraduate Laboratory Course

Abstract

“Experimental Techniques” is an intermediate laboratory course designed in part to help students decide whether they want to pursue experimental physics. Key to this goal are meaningful opportunities for creative exploration and problem solving which mimic real-world research. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, by building an interferometer at home using inexpensive department-provided materials, students were afforded opportunities for real creativity while proving that changes in optical path length – not just arm length – lead to fringe evolution. Though the physics involved was significantly simpler than in other experiments, students developed a better understanding of optical path length and interferometry while being introduced to instrumentation and some of the fundamental skills used by experimentalists in the lab. Members of the class also gained a meaningful sense of accomplishment and excitement. Consequently, we are now considering implementing this experiment as part of the in-person version of the course.