2026 Frikkin Lasers Challenge: Measuring Nanometer-Scale Displacements with an Optical Cavity
2026 Frikkin Lasers Challenge: Measuring Nanometer-Scale Displacements With An Optical Cavity No comments by: Aaron Beckendorf July 26, 2026 Title: Copy Short Link: Copy Optical cavities – two mirrors arranged to reflect light multiple times between them – form the basis of lasers and certain optical filters. Since any angle between the two mirrors results in light being scattered away, parallel alignment is essential, yet difficult to maintain. Nevertheless, [Timothy Giles] managed to 3D-print and align such an optical cavity, and used it to detect minute shifts in space and wavelength.
- ▪2026 Frikkin Lasers Challenge: Measuring Nanometer-Scale Displacements With An Optical Cavity No comments by: Aaron Beckendorf July 26, 2026 Title: Copy Short Link: Copy Optical cavities – two mirrors arranged to reflect light multiple time
- ▪Since any angle between the two mirrors results in light being scattered away, parallel alignment is essential, yet difficult to maintain.
- ▪Nevertheless, [Timothy Giles] managed to 3D-print and align such an optical cavity, and used it to detect minute shifts in space and wavelength.
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2026 Frikkin Lasers Challenge: Measuring Nanometer-Scale Displacements With An Optical Cavity No comments by: Aaron Beckendorf July 26, 2026 Title: Copy Short Link: Copy Optical cavities – two mirrors arranged to reflect light multiple times between them – form the basis of lasers and certain optical filters. Since any angle between the two mirrors results in light being scattered away, parallel alignment is essential, yet difficult to maintain. Nevertheless, [Timothy Giles] managed to 3D-print and align such an optical cavity, and used it to detect minute shifts in space and wavelength. The cavity has two semi-transparent mirrors facing towards each other.
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