CSvax:Physics:piner (11/17/82)
It occurs to me that we are overlooking a valuable resource here on the net. Much of what we physics pholks do is in the lab, and in those labs are pieces of equipment. Some of them work, and some of them don't. I think it would be helpful to many of us, if lab experiences were passed on from time to time. In other words, I would like to propose that we let others on the net know, when we encounter something which could be useful to others in the lab, especially if it is something unexpected. If this gets to be an popular idea, we can always start a sub group. I will be glad to start off, with my own helpful hint. If have found that the sodium arc lamp made by Gates, is NOT useful as a spectral source. The yellow sodium doublet is split into four lines. This is because the pressure in the lamp is too high, and sodium is self-reversing. These lamps are sold by Fisher and Cenco, and should not be used in interferometer experiments. Order a spectral lamp from someone like Oriel for this task. Indeed, always use spectral lamps for experiments involving measurement of a spectra. If someone had told my predecessor this, I wouldn't now have to spend a couple of kilo-bucks to replace the lamps in my class. I will post other helpful hints from time to time as they come up. If anyone else has such hints, I for one, would like to hear them. Richard Piner Physics Dept. Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907