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Tables of Contents for Lasers, Ray Guns, and Light Cannons
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Acknowledgments
xiii
2
Introduction
xv
1
Who this book is for
xvi
1
How to use this book
xvi
1
Conventions used in this book
xvii
1
Safety first
xvii
1 Introduction to lasers
1
18
Einstein as the spark
2
1
Raising atoms
2
1
Let there be laser light
3
2
Types of lasers
5
3
Light and Wavelengths
8
5
Power output
13
1
Components of the laser
14
1
The properties of laser light
15
1
The birth of the laser
15
1
Will the real father of the laser please stand up?
16
3
2 Working with lasers
19
10
Basic skills
19
1
Laser safety
20
3
Laser light radiation
23
2
High-voltage electrocution
25
2
Projects safety
27
2
3 Introduction to optics
29
20
Fundamentals of the simple lens
29
2
Lenses as refractive media
31
2
Lens types
33
3
Lens coatings
36
1
The function of mirrors
36
1
Other optical components
38
6
Buying optics
44
1
Care, cleaning, and storage of optics
45
4
4 Experimenting with light and optics
49
10
High-output LEDs
49
1
Building the simulated laser
50
1
Beam collimation
51
2
Optical experiments
53
6
5 All about helium-neon lasers
59
18
Anatomy of a He-Ne laser tube
59
3
Laser varieties
62
1
The power supply
62
3
Power output
65
1
Physical size
66
1
Beam characteristics
66
4
He-Ne colors
70
1
The role of the ballast resistor
71
1
Buying and testing He-Ne tubes
72
3
Powering the tube
75
1
Using the tube
75
2
6 Build a He-Ne laser
77
18
Build an all-in-one lab laser
77
3
Build an enclosed laser head
81
6
Build a compact laser breadboard
87
4
7 Constructing an optical bench
91
22
Basic 2'-x-4' optical bench
91
1
Enhanced 4'-x-4' optical bench
92
3
Using optical benches
95
1
Optical breadboard components
96
1
Laser and optics mounts
97
10
Advanced optical system design
107
6
8 Laser optics experiments
113
22
Experimenting with refraction
113
3
Experimenting with reflection
116
2
Experimenting with diffraction
118
7
Polarized light and polarizing materials
125
6
Manipulating the laser beam
131
4
9 Build a Michelson interferometer
135
22
A short history
135
2
Building your own interferometer
137
13
Modifying the interferometer
149
1
Interferometric experiments
150
1
Other types of interferometers
151
6
10 Introduction to semiconductor lasers
157
24
The insides of a semiconductor laser
157
2
Powering a diode laser
159
3
Handling and safety precautions
162
1
Mounting and heatsinks
163
1
Sources for laser diodes
163
2
Build a pocket laser diode
165
2
Using the pocket laser
167
2
11 Laser power supplies
169
12
About helium-neon power supplies
169
1
Basic He-Ne 12-volt power supply
170
4
Pulse-modulated dc-operated He-Ne supply
174
3
Ac-operated He-Ne power supply
177
1
Enclosing the He-Ne power supplies
178
3
12 Build an experimenter's power supply
181
6
Multiple-voltage power supply
181
2
Adjustable-voltage power supply
183
1
Inspection and testing
183
1
Battery-pack regulators
184
3
13 Free-air laser light communications
187
14
Light as a modulation medium
187
1
Long-range light-wave communications link
188
6
Acoustic modulation
194
3
Electronic modulation of helium-neon lasers
197
4
14 Advanced projects in laser communication
201
8
Data transmission
201
5
Alternative He-Ne laser photosensor
206
3
15 Lasers and fiberoptics
209
14
How fiberoptics work
209
2
Types of optical fibers
211
1
Working with fiberoptics
212
1
Fiberoptic connectors
212
2
Build a laser data link
214
4
More experiments with lasers and fiberoptics
218
5
16 Experiments in laser seismology
223
8
The Richter scale
224
1
How electromagnetic seismographs work
225
1
Constructing the seismograph
226
5
17 Beginning holography
231
22
A short history of holography
231
1
What a hologram is--and isn't
232
1
What you need
233
1
The isolation table
234
3
The darkroom
237
1
Optics, film, film holders, and chemicals
238
3
Single-beam transmission setup
241
5
Intermediate holography
246
4
Split-beam transmission hologram
250
3
18 Advanced holography
253
16
Advanced sandbox
253
4
Making a reflection hologram
257
2
Viewing reflection holograms
259
1
Improved reflection holograms
260
1
Advanced holographic setups
260
5
Hologram gallery
265
4
19 Basic laser light shows
269
22
The "Spirograph" effect
269
9
Sound-modulated mirrors
278
6
Sound modulation of airplane servos
284
3
Simple scanning systems
287
4
20 Advanced laser light shows
291
22
Where to have a light show
291
1
Experimenting with galvanometers
292
16
Smoke effects
308
1
Using argon and krypton lasers
309
1
You and Uncle Sam
310
1
Going professional
310
3
21 Building laser "ray guns" and light cannons
313
18
An overview of land/space laser weapons
314
1
Small-scale weapons using lab-type lasers
315
1
Build your own helium-neon laser pistol
315
6
Adding on to the laser pistol
321
2
Applications for the laser pistol
323
2
Build a compact laser ray gun
325
2
Build a laser light cannon
327
2
Build a compact diode laser gun
329
1
About lasers in laser pointers
329
2
22 More laser projects!
331
12
Optical switch using LCD panel
331
1
Build a laser "snooper"
332
2
Laser tachometer
334
3
Perimeter burglar alarm
337
1
Basics of the laser gyroscope
337
3
Studying fluid aerodynamics
340
1
Cryogenic cooling of semiconductor lasers
340
1
Additional projects
341
2
23 Tools and supplies for laser experimentation
343
18
Construction tools
343
2
Electronic tools
345
1
Volt-ohmmeter
346
3
Logic probe
349
1
Logic pulser
350
1
Oscilloscope
351
1
Frequency meter
352
1
Wire-wrapping tool
352
2
Breadboard
354
1
Hardware supplies
354
1
Extruded aluminum
355
1
Angle brackets
355
1
Electronic supplies and components
355
3
Circuit boards
358
1
Setting up shop
359
2
24 Buying laser parts
361
6
Places to buy
361
3
Buying lasers and laser power supplies
364
3
25 Controlling laser beams with your computer!
367
12
Interface circuitry
367
3
Moving mirror to control the beam
370
1
Connecting to the parallel port
371
4
Using the port to operate a motor
375
2
Other software approaches
377
1
Using a computer to control a servo
377
2
A Sources
379
14
Components, parts, and systems
379
12
Other important addresses
391
2
B Further reading
393
4
Magazines
393
1
Books
394
3
Glossary
397
12
Index
409