Diffraction of light by counting photons: an excuse to learn to measure Difracción de la luz contando fotones: una excusa para aprender a medir

F. ZALDIVAR ESCOLA; JAN, E.; SANCHEZ, GA; LACAPMESURE, AXEL; O.E. MARTÍNEZ

Optica Pura y Aplicada

Sociedad Espanola de Optica

Año: 2023 vol. 56

Performing laboratory practices during several days in which the students design the experimentallows them to delve into the concepts, focus on doubts and acquire more comprehensive notions ofthe subject. But above all it is more motivating and fun. With this in mind, a laboratory practice isproposed where students design and carry out an experiment where they acquire the diffractionpattern of a slit from counting individual photons, conducting a study on counting statistics andrecovering, in the accumulation, the result expected by classical electromagnetism (optics). For this,they are offered a photomultiplier in photon counting mode together with simple, flexible and low-costmaterials with which they can build their design, control the equipment and acquire the signals.