Report 2009 - 2010

Description of the activity: Limit: 100 words

Our activity consisted in the construction of a Li-oven with temperatures over 300° C to obtain a lithium vapor from a cylinder made of an aluminium–lithium alloy. For this we imported two viewports to complete a vacuum system that contains lithium vapor, and purchased in a local store two signal generators to change the frequency of a laser (constructed in the previous project). The laser was driven through the lithium beam to study the absorption. We have also assembled a scanning confocal Fabry Perot interferometer to observe the laser spectrum. We made outreach activities with schools, invited Prof. Duarte as part of the OSA Travelling Lecturer program and participated in an Optics Exhibition.

The number of participants who attended the activity, beyond those directly involved:

The number of participants: 7

What the participants gained from the activity and the overall response: Limit: 100 words

We learned to construct and align a scanning confocal Fabry Perot interferometer starting with two mirrors, a cylindrical piezo and a high voltage amplifier. We constructed a lithium beam and learned basic vacuum techniques. Furthermore, we gained experience in the resolution of experimental problems and in the design of pieces like an oven with specific features. On the other hand, the members of the chapter learned on tunable lasers, interference and novel aspects related to the use of the Dirac notation in optics in the lecture given by Prof. F.J. Duarte. One of us have actively worked in the construction of our web page and organizing the outreach activities. Other members was involved in an Optics Exhibition in the Planetario.

How did you Section/Chapter benefit from this activity: Limit: 100 words

We have had the opportunity to learn about quantum optics and light absorption in gases as we could observe the fluorescence from lithium atoms. Another important benefit was obtained in the lecture “Dirac’s notation in laser beam propagation and interferometry” by F. J. Duarte, a new point of view in the development of optics linked to the interchange of information in a safe way. One of us will participate in the OSA Student Chapter Annual Meeting. Another benefit is the information of new optics obtained from OPN News and Physics Today.

Problems the group encountered in organizing the activity (if any): Limit: 100 words

In this year some participants finished their study and we have a change in active participants. We have gained more experience and after the Annual Meeting we expect to obtain more ideas from our representative.

How was the activity publicized? Limit: 100 words

It was published in the University newspaper “USACH AL DIA” (www.usachaldia.cl) and in our Chapters webpage http://fisica.usach.cl/~osa/.

Some efforts were done to improve the quality of our web page.

How the activity could have been improved: Limit: 100 words

Our activity could have been improved by updating more often our web page and with a better publicized of each activities of the OSA Student Chapter “Universidad de Santiago de Chile”.