Light diffraction experiment using fully automated data collection by Arduino

Abstract During the correction of reports on Young's experiment, from three classes of undergraduate physics students, it was observed that systematically the errors related to the measurements were concentrated in the measurements between the diffraction fringes. These measures are always susceptible to the sensitivity of the human eye, requiring some experience and care. This article describes an experimental, low-cost methodological alternative to perform the diffraction experiment, automated with Arduino. The methodology allowed us not only to calculate the thickness of a hair, with an estimated error of 3%, but also to graphically visualize the distribution of luminous intensity by means of graphs throughout the diffraction spectrum, something impossible without the resource used.

摘要：在批改三个本科物理教学班学生提交的杨氏实验报告过程中，我们系统性地发现，学生的实验测量误差高度集中在衍射条纹间距的测量环节。此类测量极易受限于人眼的感知灵敏度，需要操作者具备一定的实验经验与操作细心度。本文提出了一种低成本的衍射实验教学替代方案，该方案借助Arduino实现实验全流程自动化。该方法不仅能够以3%的估算误差完成发丝厚度的测算，还可通过图表形式直观展示衍射光谱全程的光强分布——这一效果在未采用该自动化方案时无法实现。