Anyone have an idea what this gas laser optical board was used for?

[Alaskan]

I bought this on ebay, has some nice waveplates and a couple of cubes, was used with a gas laser but don't know what it is.

.
.

.
.

 

[diachi]

I'd say it's an interferometer.


Edit - similar to this:

Going by some of the writing on the optics yours also used a HeNe. Writing on the cubes suggests the same too - NPB and PB for Non-Polarizing and Polarizing.

 

[Alaskan]

Thank you, appreciate the info, now I need to decide if I use the parts for other projects, or keep it as is, if I can find a use for it. I need to study up on the subject.

 

[Encap]

I bought this on ebay, has some nice waveplates and a couple of cubes, was used with a gas laser but don't know what it is.

DId you ask the seller you bought it from what it was a part of---what it was?

 

[Alaskan]

I asked, he didn't know.

 

[Encap]

I asked, he didn't know.

It is unusual that a seller doesn't know what he is selling which is why I asked.

Looks like it has some high quality useable components--nice find.

 

[paul1598419]

If it is an interferometer, it is a Michelson interferometer and can be used to measure the coherence length of He-Ne lasers. The reason for the moving mirror is to find where the fringe patterns begin and end. Twice the distance the mirror is moved is the coherence length of the laser

Edit: After looking again, I wonder if it is a Michelson interferometer as the wave plates wouldn't be necessary. But, from what i can see it is definitely for use with a 6328 Angstrom He-Ne. Must be used to measure some special polarization of the laser. I don't see anything for introducing any optics or specimens, and since the place for the laser looks temporary, I think it is for measuring the laser itself.

The more i think about it, i believe it is used to measure highly polarized He-Ne lasers after they are produced. You know who would know for sure? Dr. Sam. If the detectors are still functional it might be worth more as a unit than as parts. I'd wait before tearing into it.

 

[Alaskan]

After I learned what it probably was, I had the same thought, better leave it alone until I figure out whether I have more value for parts, or as a unit. I bought two identical units.

 

[paul1598419]

Good for you, buddy, Nice find! I'm envious.

 

[HydroSean]

I'd say it's an interferometer.


Edit - similar to this:

Going by some of the writing on the optics yours also used a HeNe. Writing on the cubes suggests the same too - NPB and PB for Non-Polarizing and Polarizing.

diachi is right, I did my undergraduate in chemistry and I work in an analytical laboratory where we use FTIRs, GCs, HPLCs, UV-Vis spectrometers et cetera. It looks like you have just the interferometer and are missing the laser, sample holder, detector, conduit, ACS communication firmware, and software. The interferometer is useless as is without the rest of the instrument, you're better off salvaging the components like lenses and mirrors. Pretty cool find though!:beer:

 

[Alaskan]

OK, thanks, some good parts then. I just hope the rotators aren't made from mica, I'd like to be able to use them with more power than a gas laser can produce.

 

[paul1598419]

I'd ask Dr.Sam what he thinks of this, still. I did some post grad work in chemistry with NMR, FTIR, GC- mass spec, etc. and still think this might be something worth salvaging as a whole.

 

[Alaskan]

Just found your post, I will do that, good idea. Thanks.

 

[paul1598419]

Oh, good. I'd hate to see you destroy something of value without knowing for sure what it is.

 

[HydroSean]

Oh, good. I'd hate to see you destroy something of value without knowing for sure what it is.

He doesn't know if it works and even if it does if it is still in a good enough condition for its intended use. To test it he would need to purchase all the necessary equipment or take it to an advanced laboratory downtown somewhere. These things don't sell very well unless they have an RoHS compliant certificate. But if you can get an RoHS certificate then you could sell if for thousands of dollars.

 

[Alaskan]

Will be awhile until I can do anything with it, it came in the mail to my home in Alaska, but I have not been able to see it yet due to being on the other side of the planet and not coming back for months.