Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Funds are requested to upgrade the main optical components in an existing laser interferometer. Funds are requested to purchase two new 50/50 optical beam splitters and two new first-surface mirrors. The laser interferometer is used to make convective heat transfer measurements and for temperature field visualization. This instrument is vital to the Applicant's ongoing research program in the field of heat transfer and solar energy. This instrument was originally designed and custom-built by the Applicant about fourteen years ago. At that time, because of financial constraints, a set of used optical beam splitters was purchased. These optical components are now at least thirty years old, and have been used for more than twenty masters and doctoral student theses. With time and continuous use, the optical quality of the output has degraded. The main optical elements of the interferometer are badly in need of replacement, in order to retain an acceptable level of measurement accuracy. The upgraded instrument will be heavily used by the Applicant's graduate students, as well as by visiting Ph.D. and Master's students from Queen's University and The University of Waterloo. The requested equipment will be used by the Applicant and/or the Applicant's graduate students on a daily basis.