Abstract

Fabry-Perot interferometers are optical resonators used for developing high-resolution sensing devices. With the ability to detect and resolve the fine features of a transmission spectrum with high precision, these devices are commonly used to determine the resonant modes of a laser cavity, which often feature closely-spaced spectral peaks with narrow line widths. The most common configuration of a Fabry-Perot interferometer is a resonator consisting of two highly reflective, but partially transmitting, spherical mirrors that are facing one another.

In this work, we present an experiment of how the academic knowledge acquired can be applied to the development of technologies that improve the quality of life. We believe that the teaching of experiment-oriented topics, combined with a dynamic and dialogue-based classroom delivery, can encourage greater class participation. This experiment is designed around commonly used optoelectronic devices, such as LEDs, to engage students' interest. Additionally, students will learn to investigate non-trivial features of such devices, for example, that it is possible to relate the emission spectrum of a resonant cavity to physical parameters that affect the cavity, such as temperature or refractive index.

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