The effect of multiple optical filters on the reduction of intensity from different colored 100 mW laser beams, deriving from a laser pointer
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physics
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
As technology and manufacturing progress at rapid rates, the use of lasers has increased in our everyday economy and world. Lasers are used in manufacturing, medical, and other industries to promote implementation, but lasers come in powerful configurations. Some lasers emit a bright, blinding light that can injure eyesight, irritate skin, and cause temporary blindness. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of optical filters would attenuate the intensity of a laser beam. Three different colored filters and lasers were used: red, green, and blue. It was hypothesized that the use of the optical filters would significantly decrease the intensity of the laser beam. To perform the tests and experiments, an astronomical laser holder was placed in front of an optical filter. The laser was then turned on, and the laser beam passed through the filter, and into a solar cell, which was set up behind the filter. The solar cell was connected to a Watt meter which displayed the measurements. The results were recorded, and the trial was repeated. There were 50 trials, for each variable configuration. With this set-up, the goal was to find the intensity amount decreased (mW). According to the results, the data did not support the hypothesis. It was shown that there was significant difference in intensity for the red laser results. An ANOVA test was conducted for all the individual experiments. The ANOVA test did reject the null hypothesis for the red laser results, giving a p-value < 0.001.
Recommended Citation
Reddy, Dandavikranth, "The effect of multiple optical filters on the reduction of intensity from different colored 100 mW laser beams, deriving from a laser pointer" (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 234.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/234
Start Date
4-11-2015 11:15 AM
End Date
4-11-2015 11:30 AM
The effect of multiple optical filters on the reduction of intensity from different colored 100 mW laser beams, deriving from a laser pointer
As technology and manufacturing progress at rapid rates, the use of lasers has increased in our everyday economy and world. Lasers are used in manufacturing, medical, and other industries to promote implementation, but lasers come in powerful configurations. Some lasers emit a bright, blinding light that can injure eyesight, irritate skin, and cause temporary blindness. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of optical filters would attenuate the intensity of a laser beam. Three different colored filters and lasers were used: red, green, and blue. It was hypothesized that the use of the optical filters would significantly decrease the intensity of the laser beam. To perform the tests and experiments, an astronomical laser holder was placed in front of an optical filter. The laser was then turned on, and the laser beam passed through the filter, and into a solar cell, which was set up behind the filter. The solar cell was connected to a Watt meter which displayed the measurements. The results were recorded, and the trial was repeated. There were 50 trials, for each variable configuration. With this set-up, the goal was to find the intensity amount decreased (mW). According to the results, the data did not support the hypothesis. It was shown that there was significant difference in intensity for the red laser results. An ANOVA test was conducted for all the individual experiments. The ANOVA test did reject the null hypothesis for the red laser results, giving a p-value < 0.001.
