Optical Transform Kit
The Optical Transform Kit (Second Edition) allows you to model X-ray diffraction using a visible laser and two-dimensional patterns. An increase in scale by thousands—from the short wavelengths of X-rays to the long wavelengths of visible light; and by hundreds of thousands—from an array of atoms to an array of dots—permits the key features of structural determination experiments to be explored either as a classroom demonstration or as a laboratory experiment. A darkened room, a monochromatic light source, and patterns of arrays are all that you need to simulate the diffraction experiment.
The kit includes directions, patterns on slides, and overhead transparency masters. A source of visible laser light (such as a laser pointer or HeNe laser) is not included.
To order a kit contact the Institute
for Chemical Education. Note that slides may be ordered separately.
Unfortunately the Institute for Chemical Education at the University of Wisconsin Madison shut down during COVID and has not reopened.
This kit was created by George C. Lisensky (Beloit College), Arthur B. Ellis (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and Donald R. Neu (University of Wisconsin-Madison).
