ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF A STARK SPECTROMETER
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC 202
Start Date
17-5-2012
End Date
17-5-2012
Abstract
With the discovery of the optically pumped far-infrared laser in 1970, over 5,000 far-infrared laser emissions have since been detected. The accurate measurement of their frequencies allows these lasers to serve as known, coherent, and stable sources of far-infrared radiation that are used in a variety of applications. At Central Washington University, we have constructed a Stark spectrometer to use with an optically pumped molecular laser for the investigation of stable molecules. The Stark spectrometer consists of two silvered glass plates with dimensions 7.62 cm by 15.24 cm and separated by 1 mm using quarter spacers. Electric fields up to 9,000 V/cm are used with the Stark spectrometer. To assess its performance, we have used a series RLC circuit to determine if there is any variation of the capacitance, and hence the electric field, as voltage is applied to the plates. This presentation will focus on discussing the experimental system and how the RLC circuit was used to assess the Stark spectrometer.
Recommended Citation
Saucedo, Nick, "ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF A STARK SPECTROMETER" (2012). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 141.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2012/oralpresentations/141
Additional Mentoring Department
Physics
ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF A STARK SPECTROMETER
SURC 202
With the discovery of the optically pumped far-infrared laser in 1970, over 5,000 far-infrared laser emissions have since been detected. The accurate measurement of their frequencies allows these lasers to serve as known, coherent, and stable sources of far-infrared radiation that are used in a variety of applications. At Central Washington University, we have constructed a Stark spectrometer to use with an optically pumped molecular laser for the investigation of stable molecules. The Stark spectrometer consists of two silvered glass plates with dimensions 7.62 cm by 15.24 cm and separated by 1 mm using quarter spacers. Electric fields up to 9,000 V/cm are used with the Stark spectrometer. To assess its performance, we have used a series RLC circuit to determine if there is any variation of the capacitance, and hence the electric field, as voltage is applied to the plates. This presentation will focus on discussing the experimental system and how the RLC circuit was used to assess the Stark spectrometer.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Michael Jackson, Michael Braunstein