OP-TEC Photonics Lab Manual for High Schools
This lab manual introduces students to the fundamentals of photonics through a series of hands-on experiments using lasers and optical components. Students measure the speed of light in acrylic using refraction, determine wavelengths through diffraction gratings, and analyze the spectrum of white and colored light. They gain experience with practical skills such as cleaning high-grade optics, building a spectrometer, and performing irradiance measurements with a digital photometer. The curriculum covers geometric optics including total internal reflection, focal length measurement, and precise optical alignment using retroreflection techniques. Students also investigate wave properties such as interference patterns from slits and pinholes, the Law of Malus for polarization, and the calculation of laser beam divergence. By documenting their procedures and results, students learn to apply mathematical relationships to physical data and develop professional technical reporting skills.
Photonics
Applied Physics
Laser Safety
Geometric Optics
Diffraction Grating
Polarization
Refraction
Total Internal Reflection
TIR
Law of Malus
Irradiance
Digital Photometer
Spectroscope
Beam Divergence
Snell's Law
Optical Alignment
Wave Optics
OP-TEC
Spectroscopy
Uploaded by demo on 2026-07-19 · ready · Electronics · Original source ↗
Files: Photonics_Lab_Manual_for_High_Schools_2018.pdf · NSF_ATE_provenance.txt
Readiness checks
Latest report — 2026-07-19 19:39
Readiness: OP-TEC Photonics Lab Manual for High Schools
Verdict: Ready with caveats · 2026-07-19 · est. parts cost >$3,200
The lab is fully implementable, but the baseline kit cost for a single station has risen significantly from the legacy $2,500 estimate to over $3,200. This increase is driven by the high cost of precision optomechanics and the discontinuation of the primary low-cost photometer. This is a cold check establishing the baseline for the current curriculum state.
Action required
| Part | Problem | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Thorlabs LDS5 | Discontinued May 2, 2024 | Use DS5 power supply with CPSA adapter cable. |
| Industrial Fiber Optics IF PM | Obsolete as of August 20, 2024 | Transition to Thorlabs PM16-121 (requires laptop/PC). |
| Thorlabs VC3 | Hard to obtain / Discontinued | Purchase updated SKU VC3C. |
| Industrial Fiber Optics IF FS1 | Zero stock at major distributors | Order direct from manufacturer. |
Parts
Active Electronics and Light Sources
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thorlabs CPS635R | 635 nm, 1.2 mW, Ø11 mm | Active | Good | $113.00 | Thorlabs |
| Thorlabs LDS5 | 5 VDC, 2.5 mm phono | Discontinued | 0 | — | — |
| Industrial Fiber Optics IF PM | Handheld Photometer | Obsolete | 0 | $248.86 | Manufacturer |
| Coast G19 LED | White LED Penlight | Active | Good | $13.99 | Sports Basement |
Optical Components (Lenses, Prisms, and Mirrors)
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thorlabs LC1258 | f = -75.0 mm, Ø25 mm | Active | Good | $42.00 | Thorlabs |
| Thorlabs LB1761 | f = 25.4 mm, Ø1 inch | Active | Good | $63.00 | Thorlabs |
| Thorlabs LE1202 | f = 200 mm, Ø1 inch | Active | Good | $55.00 | Thorlabs |
| Thorlabs LC1259 | f = -50.0 mm, Ø25 mm | Active | Good | $42.00 | Thorlabs |
| Arbor Scientific 33-0220 | 25 mm x 75 mm Equilateral | Active | Good | $8.25 | Arbor Scientific |
| Arbor Scientific 33-0225 | 32 mm x 50 mm Right Angle | Active | Good | $9.95 | Arbor Scientific |
| Edmund Optics 27-453 | 25.4 x 51 x 6 mm Mirror | Updated SKU | Good | $55.00 | Edmund (#48-453) |
| BME Lab & Science RCB | 75 x 50 x 15 mm Acrylic | Drop-in avail | Good | $8.02 | MegaDepot |
Filters and Gratings
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmund Optics 01-307 | 1000 lines/mm film | Active | Good | $28.50 | Edmund Optics |
| Industrial Fiber Optics IF FS1 | RGB Filter Set | At Risk | 0 (Dist) | $11.07 | Manufacturer |
| Edmund Optics 73-961 | Ø23 mm Glass Polarizer | Updated SKU | Good | $25.00 | Edmund Optics |
| Arbor Scientific P2-9405 | Slide-Mounted Polarizer | Active | Good | $42.00 | Arbor Scientific |
| Thorlabs WPMQ05M-633 | Ø12.7 mm, 633 nm | Active | Good | $380.00 | Thorlabs |
| Thorlabs S100R | 50 x 50 mm Slide | Active | Good | $85.00 | Thorlabs |
Mechanical Hardware and Mounting
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thorlabs MB1218 | 12" x 18" Breadboard | Active | Good | $227.00 | Thorlabs |
| Thorlabs BA2 | 2" x 3" x 3/8" Base | Active | Good | $8.67 | MeetOptics |
| Edmund Optics 58-977 | 1.5" x 1.0" Post Holder | Active | Good | $15.25 | Edmund Optics |
| Edmund Optics 58-961 | 1.5" x 5" Post | Active | Good | $12.00 | Edmund Optics |
| Thorlabs VC3 | 2.5" V-Clamp | Discontinued | 0 | — | — |
| Thorlabs RP01 | 2.5" x 2.5" Rotation Stage | Active | Good | $136.50 | Ind. Automation |
| Thorlabs RSP1 | Ø1" Rotation Mount | Active | Good | $113.00 | Thorlabs |
| Thorlabs PT1 | Single Axis Trans. Stage | Active | Good | $349.00 | Thorlabs |
| Edmund Optics 33-501 | 25 x 25 mm Mirror Mount | Updated SKU | Good | $136.00 | Edmund (#17-242) |
| Thorlabs LMR1 | 25 mm Fixed Lens Mount | Active | Good | $20.00 | CBI Surplus |
| Thorlabs DH1 | Dual Filter Holder | Active | Good | $10.00 | CBI Surplus |
| Thorlabs RA90 | Right Angle Post Clamp | Active | Good | $21.00 | Thorlabs |
| Thorlabs SH25S075 | 1/4"-20 x 3/4" Screws | Active | Good | $10.04 | Thorlabs (25pk) |
| Thorlabs SS25S075 | 1/4"-20 x 3/4" Setscrews | Active | Good | $7.40 | Thorlabs (25pk) |
Lab Tools and Accessories
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arbor Scientific P2-7061 | Handheld Spectroscope | Active | Good | $10.00 | Arbor Scientific |
| Westcott 18" Ruler | Stainless Steel | Active | Good | $3.56 | Walmart |
| SAE Hex Key Set | Generic Standard | Active | Good | $3.28 | Walmart |
| Edmund Optics 62-534 | Optical Cleaning Kit | Active | Good | $116.00 | Edmund Optics |
| Plano 23650 | Tackle Box Storage | Active | Good | $40.57 | Walmart |
Consumables
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White paper/Cards | 8.5"x14", 3"x5" | Active | Good | — | Retail |
| Tapes | Masking/Double-sided | Active | Good | — | Retail |
| Razor blades | Single-edge (Stanley) | Active | Good | — | Retail |
| Microscope slides | Arbor Sci 07-251 | Active | Good | — | Arbor Scientific |
| Silly Putty | Standard | Active | Good | — | Retail |
Substitutes
| For part | Substitute | Differences | Verified | Judgment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thorlabs LDS5 | Thorlabs DS5 + CPSA | Legacy phono plug replaced by USB supply and phono adapter cable. | electrical compatibility (5V regulated) and connector (2.5mm phono jack) | Recommended drop-in replacement. |
| IF PM | Thorlabs PM16-121 | USB interface requires PC/laptop; significantly higher cost ($490). | silicon sensor | Acceptable but adds facility dependencies and cost. |
| Thorlabs VC3 | Thorlabs VC3C | Current generation mechanical clamp. | footprint and clamping range | Verified drop-in. |
Instructors must verify any substitute against its datasheet before ordering.
Other dependencies
- Facility Standards: The companion Photonics Program Planning Guide for High Schools (HSPPPG) was not provided for review; local laser safety compliance is unverified.
- Software: None required; standard scientific calculator or spreadsheet for trigonometric functions is sufficient.
- Wavelength Calibration: Substitutes for photometers or lasers must be cross-calibrated at 635 nm to maintain data table validity.
- External Links: Historical review link "howstuffworks.com/laser.htm" is not checked and subject to link rot.
Watch list
- Industrial Fiber Optics IF PM: Manufacturer stock status is the final source for this obsolete unit; procurement should be immediate if a handheld unit is preferred over USB.
- Industrial Fiber Optics IF FS1: Zero distributor stock indicates this part may move to obsolete status soon.
- Thorlabs PT1 Stage: Significant price driver for the kit; second-hand markets (eBay/BMI Surplus) frequently stock these for 40-60% of retail if budget is critical.
Snapshot What the lab depended on when it was uploaded — the baseline the readiness checks research against.
This snapshot captures the temporal and hardware dependencies for the OP-TEC Photonics Lab Manual for High Schools (2018). This lab builds a series of optical experiments (interference, diffraction, polarization, and ray tracing) using a specific "low-cost" kit. The system relies on 5 VDC regulated power for laser modules and utilizes standard imperial optical mounting (1/4"-20 threads on 1-inch centers).
Bill of Materials
The authoritative list for this lab is the MPEC Kit Equipment List, which provides a complete lab station for 2 students.
Active Electronics and Light Sources
- Laser Diode Module (Qty: 2): Thorlabs CPS635R. 635 nm (Red), 1.2 mW (Class 2), Ø11 mm housing. Powered by 5 VDC.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs CPS635R.
- Substitution: Any 635 nm laser diode with a regulated 5V input and similar Ø11 mm cylindrical form factor to fit the VC3 V-clamp.
- Laser Diode Power Supply (Qty: 2): Thorlabs LDS5. 5 VDC output, compatible with CPS series lasers.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs LDS5.
- Substitution: Any regulated 5 VDC power supply with the correct Hirose or 2.5 mm phono plug connector (as required by the specific laser module).
- Digital Photometer (Qty: 1): Industrial Fiber Optics IF PM. Low power, calibrated for visible wavelengths (typically 400-1100 nm).
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Industrial Fiber Optics IF PM.
- Substitution: Must be a photometer capable of measuring sub-mW laser power. Active area must be known for irradiance calculations in Lab 1-3A.
- LED Inspection Flashlight (Qty: 1): Coast G19 LED. Used as a white light source for spectroscopy and diffraction.
- Sourcing: retail shopping search: Coast G19 LED Flashlight.
- Substitution: Any high-intensity white LED flashlight with a narrow beam.
Optical Components (Lenses, Prisms, and Mirrors)
- Plano-Concave Lens, f = -75.0 mm (Qty: 1): Thorlabs LC1258. N-BK7 glass, Ø25 mm, uncoated.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs LC1258.
- Bi-Convex Lens, f = 25.4 mm (Qty: 1): Thorlabs LB1761. N-BK7 glass, Ø1".
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs LB1761.
- Positive Meniscus Lens, f = 200 mm (Qty: 1): Thorlabs LE1202. N-BK7 glass, Ø1".
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs LE1202.
- Plano-Concave Lens, f = -50.0 mm (Qty: 1): Thorlabs LC1259. N-BK7 glass, Ø25 mm.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs LC1259.
- Equilateral Prism (Qty: 1): Arbor Scientific 33-0220. 25 mm x 75 mm.
- Sourcing: retail shopping search: Arbor Scientific Equilateral Prism 33-0220.
- Right Angle Prism (Qty: 2): Arbor Scientific 33-0225. 32 mm x 50 mm. Used for Total Internal Reflection (TIR) and periscope experiments.
- Sourcing: retail shopping search: Arbor Scientific Right Angle Prism 33-0225.
- First Surface Mirror (Qty: 2): Edmund Optics 27-453. 25.4 x 51 x 6 mm, Grade 2.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Edmund Optics 27-453.
- Acrylic Block (Qty: 1): BME Lab & Science RCB. Rectangular, 75 x 50 x 15 mm.
- Sourcing: general web research: "Acrylic refraction block 75x50x15mm".
Filters and Gratings
- Diffraction Grating, 1000 lines/mm (Qty: 1): Edmund Optics 01-307.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Edmund Optics 01-307.
- Color Filter Set (RGB) (Qty: 1): Industrial Fiber Optics IF FS1.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Industrial Fiber Optics IF FS1.
- Glass Polarizer (Qty: 1): Edmund Optics 73-961. Ø23 mm.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Edmund Optics 73-961.
- Slide-Mounted Polarizer (Qty: 2): Arbor Scientific P2-9405. 50 pcs/pack.
- Sourcing: retail shopping search: Arbor Scientific P2-9405.
- Quarter Wave Plate (Qty: 1): Thorlabs WPMQ05M-633. Multi-order quartz, Ø12.7 mm in Ø25 mm mount.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs WPMQ05M-633.
- Single/Double Slit Slide (Qty: 1): Thorlabs S100R. 50 x 50 mm slide.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs S100R.
Mechanical Hardware and Mounting
- Optical Breadboard (Qty: 1): Thorlabs MB1218. 12" x 18" x 0.5" with 1/4"-20 tapped holes on 1" centers.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs MB1218.
- Mounting Bases (Qty: 2): Thorlabs BA2. 2" x 3" x 3/8".
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs BA2.
- Post Holders, 1.5" x 1.0" (Qty: 6): Edmund Optics 58-977.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Edmund Optics 58-977.
- Posts, 1.5" x 5" (Qty: 7): Edmund Optics 58-961.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Edmund Optics 58-961.
- V-Clamp Laser Mount (Qty: 1): Thorlabs VC3. 2.5" (2-piece). This is a student-operated adjustment for laser alignment.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs VC3.
- Rotation Stage (Qty: 1): Thorlabs RP01. 2.5" x 2.5". Student-operated for polarization and reflection angle measurements.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs RP01.
- Rotation Mount, Ø1" Optics (Qty: 1): Thorlabs RSP1. 8-32 tap.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs RSP1.
- Translation Stage, Single Axis (Qty: 1): Thorlabs PT1.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs PT1.
- Mirror Mounts (Qty: 2): Edmund Optics 33-501. 25 mm x 25 mm, no mirror.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Edmund Optics 33-501.
- Lens Mounts, Fixed (Qty: 2): Thorlabs LMR1. Inside diameter = 25 mm.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs LMR1.
- Dual Filter Holder (Qty: 2): Thorlabs DH1.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs DH1.
- Right-Angle Clamps (Qty: 2): Thorlabs RA90.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs RA90.
- Commodity Fasteners (Qty: 6 each): Thorlabs SH25S075 (Socket Cap Screws, 1/4"-20 x 3/4") and SS25S075 (Socket Set Screws, 1/4"-20 x 3/4").
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Thorlabs SH25S075, SS25S075.
Lab Tools and Accessories
- Spectroscope (Qty: 1): Arbor Scientific P2-7061. Handheld prism/grating type.
- Sourcing: retail shopping search: Arbor Scientific Spectroscope P2-7061.
- Stainless Steel Ruler (Qty: 1): Westcott 18". English and Metric with non-slip cork base.
- Sourcing: retail shopping search: Westcott 18 inch stainless steel ruler.
- Hex Key Set (Qty: 7): Amazon/Generic 69207. Standard imperial sizes for 1/4"-20 hardware.
- Sourcing: retail shopping search: "SAE Hex Key Set".
- Optical Cleaning Kit (Qty: 1): Edmund Optics 62-534. Includes lens tissue, solution, and forceps.
- Sourcing: distributor lookup: Edmund Optics 62-534.
- Storage Solutions (Qty: 2 each): Plano 23650013650 (Prolatch Stowaway Tackle Box) and Academy Pocket Stowaway.
- Sourcing: retail shopping search: "Plano 23650 tackle box".
- Consumables (Qty: Varies): 8.5" x 14" White paper, 3" x 5" White index cards, Masking tape, Double-sided tape, Single-edge razor blades (Stanley), Microscope slides (Arbor Scientific 07-251), Silly Putty (used for mounting prisms in Lab 1-3C.1).
Temporal Dependencies
Physical Kit Availability
The entire curriculum is built around the MPEC Kit, originally provided by the Midwest Photonics Education Center. While the parts can be individualy sourced from Thorlabs and Edmund Optics, the "low-cost" estimate of $2,500 depends on the continued availability of these specific educational-grade SKUs and vendor discount structures.
Facility Requirements
The manual references a companion document: Photonics Program Planning Guide for High Schools (HSPPPG). This document is critical for identifying the safety standards (facility laser safety, eye protection requirements) necessary to run the lab legally and safely in a school environment.
Software and Calibration
- Calculations: Experiments require trigonometric functions (sin, tan, tan⁻¹) and the Law of Malus. No proprietary software is required; a standard scientific calculator or spreadsheet is sufficient.
- Wavelength Calibration: The photometer (IF PM) and laser modules (CPS635R) are wavelength-specific. If substituted, the new components must be cross-calibrated at 630-635 nm for the data tables to remain valid.
- External Links: The lab references "howstuffworks.com/laser.htm" for historical and conceptual review. This external site is subject to link rot.