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

012-07111A Prism Mount

For accurate wavelength measurements, the prism
mount must remain fixed, such that the back face
of the prism is perpendicular to the incoming light
source (Figure 3).

d) From the bottom side of the degree plate,

place a lock washer and wingnut on the
threaded post. Rotate the wingnut to help
secure the mount against the spectrophotometer
table.

collimating lens

light source

collimating slits

path of light

Figure 3: Path of Light Through the Prism

4. Attach the Infrared Filter Bracket to the Infrared
Light Sensor (if using the Infrared Light Sensor)

light sensor

prism mount

G
A
IN

1
1
0

1
0
0

focusing lens

To observe infrared wavelengths, use the Infrared
Sensor instead of the High Sensitivity Light
Sensor.

a) To replace the high sensitivity light sensor, rotate

the threaded post clockwise to loosen the
attachment and remove the light sensor.

b) Place the base of the filter bracket over the front

hole of the light sensor mount, such that the hole
in the bracket base aligns over the front hole on
the mount and the front hole of the light sensor
arm.

c) Place the Infrared Light Sensor over the base of

the bracket. While holding the sensor in place
with one hand, use the other hand to insert the
threaded post from beneath the sensor. Rotate
the post until the sensor holds firmly in place
against the bracket and mount. The glass filter
should fit snugly against the sensor, with the
bracket under the case (Figure 4).

filter bracket

infrared filter

INFRARED SENSOR

CI-6628

threaded post

light sensor arm

light sensor

light sensor
mount

Figure 4: Attaching the Infrared Light Sensor and

Filter Bracket

Limited Warranty

PASCO scientific warrants the product to be free
from defects in materials and workmanship for a
period of one year from the date of shipment to
the customer. PASCO will repair or replace, at its
option, any part of the product which is deemed to
be defective in material or workmanship. The
warranty does not cover damage to the product
caused by abuse or improper use. Determination
of whether a product failure is the result of a
manufacturing defect or improper use by the
customer shall be made solely by PASCO
scientific. Responsibility for the return of

equipment for warranty repair belongs to the
customer. Equipment must be properly packed to
prevent damage and shipped postage or freight
prepaid. (Damage caused by improper packing of
the equipment for return shipment will not be
covered by the warranty.) Shipping costs for
returning the equipment after repair will be paid by
PASCO scientific.

Address: PASCO scientific

10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100

Phone: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

Web site: www.pasco.com

3

Prism Mount 012-07111A

Copyright

The PASCO scientific 012-07111 instruction sheet
is copyrighted and all rights reserved. However,
permission is granted to non-profit educational
institutions for reproduction of any part of the
Prism Mount instruction sheet providing the
reproductions are used only for their laboratories
and are not sold for profit. Reproduction under any
other circumstances, without the written consent of
PASCO scientific, is prohibited.

Feedback

If you have any comments about the product or
manual, please let us know. If you have any
suggestions on alternate experiments or find a
problem in the manual, please tell us. PASCO
appreciates any customer feedback. Your input
helps us evaluate and improve our product.

To Reach PASCO

For technical support, call us at 1-800-772-8700
(toll-free within the U.S.) or [phone].

fax: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

web: www.pasco.com

4