Instruction Sheet
Aligning the PASCO Model OS-9171 Laser with the
OS-9172 Alignment Bench
The Helium Neon Laser
The helium neon laser is a 0.5 mW, TEM
00
mode laser,
providing randomly polarized light at a wavelength of 632.8
nm. The built-in power supply is regulated so the output has
minimum ripple and the intensity is stable to within
±
2.5%.
A 15 minute warm up is required to reach full power, but the
power on start-up is greater than 0.35 mW. If you'd like
more technical specifications, and a detailed explanation of
laser operation, see the instruction manual that's included
with the laser.
Caution: This is a relatively safe, low power
laser. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend the
following precautions:
1. Never look into the laser beam, either directly, or
as it is reflected from a mirror.
2. Set up experiments so the laser is either above or
below eye level (for both sitting and standing
people).
To Set Up the Laser using the Laser Alignment
Bench:
The laser is most conveniently aligned using the laser
alignment bench, which can be joined to the optics bench
using the bench couplers. The procedure is as follows:
1.
Place the optics bench and the laser alignment bench
end to end, as shown in Figure 1. Notice that only one
end of the laser alignment bench has holes for two
leveling screws. That is the end that joins to the optics
bench.
2.
Remove the four leveling screws on the adjoining ends
of the two benches.
3.
Use the 1/4-20, hex-head screws that are included with
the bench couplers to attach the couplers to the legs of
the benches, as shown. Do not yet tighten the screws.
4.
Insert one of the leveling screws, rubber foot down,
through the threaded hole in each coupler.
Figure 1 Connecting the Laser Alignment Bench
Laser
alignment
bench
Top View of Bench Coupler
Bench coupler
Leveling Screw
and lock-nut
1/4 20
hex-head
screw
Optics
bench
Optics bench
012-01562C
9/91
$1.00
Bench coupler
(one each side)
Laser alignment bench
Leveling screw
