Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/08/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]GH wrote: >I'll try this in the next few weeks, when I get some time. It is extremely >sensitive. An x degree movement of the mirror causes a 2x amplification of >the reflected beam. With a long "throw" to the wall, extremely small >deflections can be measured, and unlike the water, there is less dampening. > In the past I have used a laser like this to demonstrate the amount of >bending that happens in a table when a book is placed on it! The laser I >use is currently off being repaired. It had a standard 1/4" tripod socket >which will enable me to set it up on a second tripod and do this test very >accurately. > One thing to be careful about, depending on the type of laser being >used, ... make sure you don't look directly into the beam from the laser. >It could cause serious eye damage. > I just use a $20 laser pointer that I bought for slide shows and prop it up on a table. Even with this cheap laser the caution about not looking at it is warranted. The whole setup takes just minutes and aside from the laser a 1" square mirror I have and some double sided tape. This provides all the sensitivity I can use. * Henning J. Wulff /|\ Wulff Photography & Design /###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com |[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com