PASCO OS-8543 User Manual
Instruction Sheet
for the PASCO
Model OS-8543
Prism Mount (with prism included)
012-07111A
12/99
$1.00
PASCO OS-8543
BLACK BODY PRISM
flange
prism
side view
of prism
threaded post
Introduction
The OS-8543 Prism Mounting attaches to PASCO’s
Educational Spectrophotometer (OS-8539). Use the
OS-8543 Prism Mount to convert the OS-8539 grating
spectrophotometer to a prism spectrophotometer. A
prism spectrophotometer has two advantages over a
grating spectrophotometer: a) It eliminates overlap of
the orders of spectral lines observed with a grating, and
b) The spectrum is brighter because it does not spread
over several orders or in both directions.
EQUIPMENT:
Parts Included:
60-degree dense flint glass prism with prism
mount and label (OS-8543)
Beveled stop piece, for use with the light sensor
arm of the OS-8539 Educational
Spectrophotometer System
Two 6-32 x 1/2 thumbscrews
One infrared filter with bracket
One washer
prism mount bracket
base extension
base of
mount
Accessories included
thumb
screws
beveled stop piece for
the light sensor arm
filter
bracket
filter bracket
with infrared filter
side view of
bracket
filter
Additional Equipment Required:
OS-8539 Educational Spectrophotometer System
Recommended Equipment:
Black Body Light Source (OS-8542)
Computer-based Optics System II (OS-8548)
Specifications:
Prism:
Material: Flint glass
Side dimensions: 20 mm x 20 mm
Shape: Equilateral triangle
Flatness: One wavelength
Mounting Piece:
Base length: 3.32''
Base width: .47"
Bracket height: 2.50"
Flange: .75" x .49"
Post length: .75"
Post thread: 8-32 x .75UNC 2A
© 1999 PASCO scientific
Prism Mount 012-07111A
Description of Parts
The Prism Mount piece attaches to the top side of light
sensor arm used in the OS-8539 Educational
Spectrophotometer. The beveled stop piece attaches
to the bottom side of the light sensor arm (Figure 1)
and is designed to limit the range that the light sensor
arm travels to less than 90 degrees from the reference
line. The reference line is the straight path in which
parallel rays of light travel from the light source
through the collimating and focusing lenses. ( To
observe the position of the light sensor arm at the
reference line, move the arm until the angle indicator
reads 0 degrees.)
The light spectrum refracted through the prism is
typically observed between 58-62 degrees from the
reference angle. When the stop piece rests against the
angle indicator, the angle is approximately 76 degrees.
The infrared filter and bracket are designed for use
with the PASCO CI-6628 Infrared Light Sensor.
The
bracket comes with the glass filter attached. Use the
infrared sensor for experiments, such as blackbody,
when it desired to measure infrared wavelengths.
1. Attach the Stop to the Light Sensor Arm
2. Mount the Light Sensor Arm to the DegreePlate
a) Align the light sensor arm over the bracketed
markers and the edge holes displayed on the
top surface of the degree plate. Use the thumb
screws to secure the arm to the plate.
b) After securing the arm, check to ensure the arm
rotates throughout the full range between the
reference line (zero mark) and the stop against
the angle indicator (approximately 76 degrees).
3. Attach the Prism Mount to the OS-8539
Educational Spectrophotometer
a) Set the angle indicator on the spectrophotometer
table to zero.
b) Locate the hole in the center of degree plate
resting over the spectrophotometer table. Insert
the threaded post into the center hole and slowly
turn the prism mount until the base of the mount
piece is positioned loosely over the top of the
degree plate (Figure 2).
Note: Do not screw the prism down too tight.
The light sensor arm must be free to rotate under
the prism without touching the prism mount.
Note: Before attaching the stop, remove the light
sensor arm (if attached) from the degree plate of
the OS-8539 Educational Spectrophotometer.
a) Attach the stop to the light sensor arm using the
two screws provided (Figure 1). Note the
orientation of the stop. Position the beveled
corner of the stop so that it will hit against the
angle indicator on the spectrophotometer table.
stop piece
beveled corner
light sensor arm
Figure 1: Attach the stop piece to the light
sensor arm
c) Rotate the prism mount until it clears the light
sensor arm and the prism is oriented with its
apex pointed in the direction of the light
source. Keep the tab indicator aligned with
the 0 and 180-degree lines on the plate.
prism mount
angle indicator
P
A
S
C
B
O
L
O
A
C
S
K
-8
B
5
O
4
3
D
Y
P
R
I
S
0-degree
line
Figure 2: Attach the Prism Mount to the
OS-8539 Educational Spectrophotometer
M
light sensor
G
A
1
IN
1
0
1
0
0
HIGH SENSITIVITY
LIGHT SENSOR
CI-6604
light sensor arm
tab
180-degree line
2
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