Transforming a diode laser for experiments in optical physics

Abstract

The commercial pointer diode laser is currently growing in the experiences carried through in the lessons of Physics. It is a cheap and easy instrument to find in the market, beyond if constituting in an excellent source of light: intense, collimated and sufficiently monochromatic. To transform it into an useful tool of the physics education laboratory, two problems must be considered: a very little durability of the original batteries and a device that keeps the key always on. In this work these problems are solved in a simple, efficient and cheap way. Examples of diverse experiments in the field of physical optics are supplied. This field seems to us to be less explored in the experimental point of view, which could be improved with the use of this device.