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Building and Testing a Balance Detector

Building and Testing a Balance Detector. David Grayson – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – davidegrayson@gmail.com Prof. John Howell – University of Rochester Research Experience in Physics and Astronomy for Undergraduates at the University of Rochester.

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Building and Testing a Balance Detector

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  1. Building and Testing a Balance Detector David Grayson – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – davidegrayson@gmail.com Prof. John Howell – University of Rochester Research Experience in Physics and Astronomy for Undergraduates at the University of Rochester

  2. Balance detectors measure laser beam intensity difference Input Power Intensity I2 -15 V Laser beams (same color) 0 V +15 V Intensity I1 Output: Voltage propotional to (I1-I2) (up to ±15V) Voltage is 0 when I1=I2

  3. Balance detectors are useful • Prof. Howell’s lab: A novel new experiment to test general relativity on the tabletop • David Starling • Manuel Alves • Prof. Howell’s dream Manny

  4. Our balance detectors are simple Original detector built by Michael Pack Circuit diagram obtained by examination.

  5. I built two balance detectors BD1 BD2

  6. I tested the balance detectors

  7. The balance detectors were sensitive enough Sensitivity = Slope = .27 V/μW Sensitivity = Slope = .24 V/μW

  8. Response near zero output voltage sensitivity intensity intensity V = k(I1 – I2) Procedure: Too hard • Adjust the system to make I1 = I2 • Measure V • Adjust the system to make V = 0 • Measure I1-I2

  9. The balance detectors’ response near zero was good Result: Imbalances of 1 μW are detected in the 15-200 μW range. Result: Imbalances of 1 μW are detected in the 15-200 μW range.

  10. Now the balance detectors are being used in the experiment.

  11. Acknowledgments • My Advisor: Professor John Howell • Program Coordinator: Connie Jones • The Research Experience in Physics and Astronomy for Undergraduates at the University of Rochester, funded by National Science Foundation Grant No. PHY-0552695. • John Gresty • David Starling • Ben Dixon Questions? Contact David Grayson, davidegrayson@gmail.com

  12. Here be dragons

  13. I made a quick prototype • Used only equipment that I found in the lab

  14. The prototype was sensitive enough Sensitivity = Slope = .26 V/μW

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