STANDARD SCIENTIFIC COMPANY “| yee a 147-153 Waverly Place, New York he mn BULLETIN No, 4 NOVEMBER 191¢ “FARWELL-STIFLER OPTICAL BENCH we As Used in Columbia University in the College Physics Laboratory and in the Optometry Courses This ingenious optical bench, designed by Messrs. Farwell and Stifler of the Physics Department in Columbia University, is the practical outcome of a wide expe- rience in the teaching of ontics. It possesses all the merits both of simplicity and of effielency which are so desirable in an apparatus of this kind. A brief description of sthis bench was published in the American Journal of Science tor November, 1913. Fis. 1. Focat Lenet# or Leys sy Conyucari Foct. ‘The optical bench itself consists of a bur (a two-meter or one-meter stick) sup- ported by three (or two) iron. legs (J1820) which can be fastened at convenient positions. ‘Though the bench when made up with a two-meter stick and three legs is much to be preferred to the smaller form, all the figures in this bulletin are made from the one-meter hench in order to show the details of the smaller pieces’ The bar carries Copyright, 1914, by STANDARD SCIENTIFIC COMPANYSTANDARD SCIENTIFIC COMPANY J1326 a number of sliding clamps (J1922), each of which will reccive a" universal” bolder (J1324) or a pin-holder (J1826). ‘The diagram (Fig. 1) shows the ease and accuracy with which the position of the clamp on the bar can be read. The “ universal " holder witl serve equally well for mirrors, lenses or screens, a fact which will be much appreciated by those who desire simplicity of appamtus, For the more simple experiments three clamps, three “universal” holders, Lwo pin-holders are sufficient; and we have listed this equipment, with bar and legs, as a set. ‘To perform the more complicated experiments, such as those involving combinations of Iensos or mirrors, it is necessary only to increase the number of clamps and “universal holders.C65, 408s I~ NOY so = NEW YORK While the above pieces constitute the essential parts of the apparatus, experi- ence has shown that the following accessories often venience of the equipment: J1336b add to the usefulness and con Ground Glass Sercens (J1828a and b) with and without short millimeter scale ruled in center; Opaque Screens (J1390a and b) with circular aperture, with and without cross-wiress Gelatine Replica Diffraction Grating (71145); ‘Transverse half meter stick (J4882) with central sli Nodal Slide Equipment (J21886) for determination of Equivalent Focal Length and Nodal Points of Combination of Lenses.STANDARD SCIENTIFIC COMPANY USES ‘This apparatus has been designed for efficient service, and a short description of its use in a number of experiments will illustrate its advantages in this respect. We might add that an actual demonstration is even more convincing. T. Plane Mirror.—Location of viriual image. Porallax Method. A pin with white tread (object) is placed in the pin-helder (J1386) at any convenient distance in front of the plane mirror which is pliced in the “universal” holder at right angles to the bat A tall pin with black head is placed in a pin-holder behind the mirror. The adjustment may be made by moving either pin backwards or forwards until the top of the black pin, as seen over the top of the mirror, coincides with the image of the white pin as seen in the mirror from any position. ‘This parallax method is very, simple and capable with a little practice of giving very accurate results. Of indirectly, this experiment is equivalent to a proof of the law of reflection. ‘Spherical’ Mirrors, Concave or Convex.—Zocation of Center of Curvature and Determination of Focal Length by Conjugate Fock, using either real or virlwal image. A typical iMustration of the range and adaptability of this apparatus may be shown by the variety of ways of performing any one of the standard experiments with spherical mirrors, Fut example, the center of curvature of a concave mirror is often found hy determining the position at which object and image coincide. With our new eqiiipment this point can be found immediately by using the opaque screen (J1830b) well lluminated from behind, and adjusting the position of the mirror until the image Ci the ‘cross-wires is sharply focussed on the sereen beside the aperture, If now, without altering the position of the clamp, @ pin in a pin-holder 1s substituted for tho screen and "' universal” holder, a slight’ ratarion af the marror about tts vertical axts will brim the real image of the pin into coincidence with the pin itself. | This shows the exact equivalence of parallax and screen methods. Thcidentally, this illustrates two points of superiority of this apparatus over the ordinary elementary optical bench, viz: (1) the instant and exact substitution of pin for screen, and (2) the pos- sibility 07 rotating the optical axis of the system into any desized vertical plane. ET Fie. 2. Focat LuxGTe oF SraericaL Mmxok—EMPLoyMent oF Vir Tuan Twac In a similar manner the position of the conjugate foci for real images may be determined by some one method and instantly checked by two or three other methods. ‘The position of virtual images, of course, can be determined only by the parallax (or pm) method. With most elementary optical henches, it is difficalt, if not impos- sible, te determine the pesition of a virtual image; this is due primarily to the impos- sibility of placing the mircor accurately at right angles to the line joining object-pin and inage-pin Since our “ universal” holder permits a lateral adjustment of the mirror in addition to the rolation aboxt a vertical axis alzeady noted, it is casy te make the principal axis of the mirror pass through tie two pins (Fig. 2). Hence, the fecat dength can be determined by means of viriual images with an accuracy comparable with that obtained by real images; and the virtual images afford an excellent way of emphasizing ‘the proper use of ségns in the image formula: 1 1 1 (Object-distance * Tmage-distance ~ Focal length’NEW YORK By using dividers and scale, the size of a real image ax found on either screen J1828 or J1380 may be readily measured. If screen J1929b is used for the object, the Inagnification is readily determined. ‘This gives a check on the ratio of image- 4 distance to object-distance. These measurements can be made on any of the com- mereial benches, but for rapidity, accuracy and interchangeability, our bench is in a | class by itself } IIL Spherical Lenses, Converging and Diverging. Delermination of Focat Length + by Conjugate Foci (Pig. 1). ‘The advantages of this apparatus already enumerated are shown with even greater emphasis in the experiments with lenses. ‘The methods are of course similar to those used with mirtors, and further details are perhaps unnecessary. It might be mentioned that the whole equipment is so light and yet suficiently rigid and secure that it may casily be carried near a window in order to find in the sunlight the focal length of a lens by setting a screen at the burning point. ‘The problem of determining experimentally the fou! length of @ diverging Tens, often left to the imagination of the student, becomes with this equipment as simple as for a converging len: i] IV. Combinations of Lenses and Mirrors. Such simple combinations of lenses as models of the astronomical and terrestrial telescopes and compound microscope are of great interest to the average student of elementary optics, The objection to | setting up such models with most benches es in the difficulty of accurately centering the lenses. This is particularly true in case the exigencies of laboratory equipment require the use of lenses of different diameters. Here again our bench meets the \ practical need, for the clamp and “ universal " holder give vertical adjusiment of ample 4 range. On few, if any, of the other moderate-priced optical henches can a model of the reflecting telescope be set up. § o si Snel : aan [ | i Fis. 3. AgRanczmunt Fon ComPouND MicKoscore. As an illustration of the formation of images in a compound optical instrument, . the setting up of a microscope will be described (Fig. 3). It is supposed that the stu- ie cntd has completed the exercises with simple lenses, and is thus familiar with the image process in general. ‘The object ¢—pin or sereen—is placed in the holder near one end of the bar. By means of the object-glass @ an enlarged inverted real image is formed on ground glass screen d. ‘The lens corresponding to the eye-piece is then set in such posi- tion as to form a virtual image (enlarged) of the granular surface on the screen. Thus :STANDARD SCIENTIFIC COMPANY far, the student has merely repeated two of his earlier exercises. If now he removes the screen d, he finds on looking through the system that his microscope is com plete, (As is shown in Pig. 3, this arrangement requires one more sliding clamp, J1822, than is included in either of the regular sets, J1900 and J1310). V. Wave-length of Light by Diffraction Grating. This experiment, if attempted at all in elementary courses, usually requires a spectrometer or a rather clumsy arrange- ment of more or less special appliances. With this bench, on the other hand, the determination of the wavelength of, say, sodium light, requires only the addition of a half-meter stick with a central transverse slit (J1882). Any grating and light- source suitable for such an experiment may be used. For convenience we have listed a Gelatine Replica Diffraction Grating, (J1146), which gives good results. reference to the cuit (Fig. 4) will make plain the actual arrangement of the appa- tatus, The half-meter sticle is supported at right angles to the hench by means of two of the sliding clamps (J1392), held together by a pin-holder (J1826), from which the set-screw has been removed. ‘The principle of the method consists in measuring Fic. 4. Wave-Luora or Licit uy Dierracriox Grarixa. on the half-meter stick the distances (p) from the slit to the various orders of spectrum-image, whence, knowing also the distance (d) of the slit from the grating and the value (a) of the grating space, we can determine the wave-length (d) by the following formula: Vane wherein # is the “order of the spectram-image. The images can be conveniently Jocated by using paper-slides on the half-meter stick. The theory of the methed can ‘be found in any standard text-book of physics.NEW YORE ‘VI. Special Uses and More Advanced Applications. ‘The experience of the designers of this apparatus is that it is capable of giving most satisfactory results in testing complicated optical systems, As an example of this, we may cite its use in the determination of the equivalent focal length and the positions of the nodal points of a combination of two or more lenses separated by several centimeters; thus jllustesting one of the commen problems in testing lens-systems, The theory of this Mis. 5. Eouivacest Focat Lenora of Lens Compinatrons. method may bo found in such books as Clay's Treatise on Practical Light, The diagram (Fig. ) shows the special apparatus which takes the place of the elaborate “Nodal Slide” deserihed by Clay. While a fairly satisfactory substitute for the "Nodal Slide” proper can be built up from our regular equipment, in practice it has been found that the special narrow clamps shown in the cut (J1336a) are advantageous here, though their general use is not secommended. Although, as is evident from the figure, this apparatus is not intended for commercial testing of such systems as photographic lenses, for emphasizing the principles involved in such tests the arrange: meat has evident advantages. NOTE ON PROPER SELECTION OF OPTICAL EQUIPMENT It may not be amiss to call attention to the fact that one of the main requisites for success in optical experiments of this nature is the choice of lenses and mirrors of, suitable focal length and dimensions. For satisfactory results the focal length of spherival mirrors, both concave and convex, should be ab least 1§ em, This focal Tength permits the use of a cufliciently large aperture (7 or 8 em.) to give a brilliant image with very litle distortion—a great aid to accuracy. Tn general, lenses of Jess than 15 cm, focal length should be avoided: for many experiments lenses of 25 or 45 cm, focal length are useful, since with these the images are less distorted. For most purposes lenses approximately § cm. in diameter are recommended. Since the minimura distance hetween an object ani its real image formed by a lens is four times the focal length of the Jens, it is obvious that with lenses of focal length 25 em. or mote, it is not possible to use the shorter (one-meter) bar. Fer general work the longer bar is very strongly advised. "The purpose of this hullctin is to suggest but a few of the many possibilities of this ingenious apparatus in the teaching of optics. Many other applications will naturally occur to any enthnsiastic: instructor. 7STANDARD SCIENTIFIC COMPANY PRICE LIST 31300 Farwell-Stif_ler Optical Bench, including two-meter bar with brass ends, 3 bench supports, 3 sliding’clamps, 3 universal holders, 2 pin holders and set of pins, complete, ....0.csessesecssesseeseusee L ‘J1305 Farwell-Stifler Optical Bench, similar to J1300, but including the Nodal Slide Equipment J1988 coniplete. eae edo - 8.00 | J1310 Farwell-Stifler Optical Bench, with one-meter bar, with brass ends, and. : 2 bench supports, but othiorwise same as J1800, and set of pins, complete $30 | 31815 Farwell-Stifter Optical Bench, similar to J430, but including Nadal . Slide Equipment J1886 complete... . - Syn nancy ncn +. 680 | | Ji5a. Meter Stick, two meters tong, brassends. 2.0... cee. veces ++ 185 2 J15 Meter Stick, one meter long, brass ends... es.e se ee cs eee - 30 31320 Farwell-Stifler Bench Support, for meter stick, with clamping screw (4 required for two-mever bench, or 2 for on-meter beach).........Each $0 31922 Farwell-Stifier Sliding Clamp, with set-scrow und index, for Supporting Universal Holder J1324, Pin Holder J1826, etc, Designed to fit metcr stick (3 required). seas Fach $0 31924 Farwell-Stifler Univers » for ensés, ‘mirrors, “Screens, cte.; maximum opening 8X8 em. (3 requiced) Zi Each) 1.00 31926 Parwell-Stifler Pin Holder, with setscrow, to Bt Siding Clamp Jigz2 (2 required) oven cetcteeeeeeereveess Buch) 10 F838 Ground Glass Sezeem (1 mm. thick) 4715 cans Z | (a) plain einen 4 @) with metric matings. 2000200 aia) es 31380 Opague Screen, metal, 7.3 cm. squaice: i | (q) with circular aperture ase ie) ae | () swith circular aperture anu cross-wire cn ma 88 31808 Hult meter Stick, with central wit, for use im moasuring wave-length of > iterate en eons Te J1336 Farwell-Stifler Nodal Slide Equipment, for determining the equivatent po focal lengths and nodal points of combination of lenses, ‘The desired combination is built-up from ordinary lenses held in Universal Holders. ‘The special equipment consists of a short metric bar (about 18 em, long), 2 special narrow Siiding, Clamps for holding. the Universal Holiécs, and 1 special Narrow Clamp for supporting the bar (ee cut ' $1886a) : 2 Elevating Rods are included forlitting the object-sereen. ett, | to tho same height as the Nodal Slide (sve cat J1336b)._ The whole arrangement is shown in the cut (Fig. 5). ‘The Nodal Slide Eaatip- ‘ment as listed also includes the necessary fourth Universal Holder..... 200 | Ji145 Diffraction Grating, gelatine replica, about 1200 Kines per cm. sees] 180 J9 Plane Glass Mirror, 7.57.5 Xcm., high grade nse aoe ap eda | JA5 Spherical Glass Mirror, concave, 7.5 em. diametes, 15 om. focus, with metal rim... ee Pee anne 0 JG Spherical Gl y conver, 7.5 cin. diameter, 15 om. focus, with snetal rity Reeth euucsneeroe ese EBD J780 Lenses with Spherical Surfaces, Double Convex; § cm. diameter, edged and polished; 3n chamois skia holders: 5 em, focus, e ob 25 em. focus. 33 om, fors ae 3185 Lenses with Spherical Surface: and polished; in chamois skin eases: ° sl : 5 50 . mich experiments, including: 3 Double : Ganvor Lenses 780; of 15, 25, and 35 cm. focus, and 2 Double Concave Lenses 1786 of '15 and 2§ em. focus... ne _ 2.25 / J48_ Set of Mirrors, for the Optical Bench experiments, including: “Plane Mirror, J, Spheriesl Concave Mirror J48 and’ Spherical’ Convex i Mirror Ja! esc e ee eee hala sete LOO, J1840 Pins, assorted lengths, while und biack heads... Per set 10